SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF
NHL 6/22/2013
Boston Bruins
681899
681900
681901
681902
681903
681904
681905
681906
681907
681908
681909
681910
681913
681914
681915
681916
681917
681918
681919
681920
681921
Kaspars Daugavins possibly out for Game 5; Carl Soderberg
could make playoff debut
Bruins’ top line must play at top level
Bruins insist Chara doesn't mind contact
Bruins need more from first line in Game 5
Marian Hossa doesn't practice, but Blackhawks say he'll be
ready for Game 5
Soderberg could debut in Game 5
Stanley Cup Today: Teams seeking an edge
Blackhawks stick with Corey Crawford in net
Brent Seabrook a leader for Blackhawks
Rich Peverley finally adds to offense
Steve Levy beats NHL drum at ESPN
Bruins want better start in Game 5
Sharp hears it from teammates after slip
Soderberg practices with B’s fourth line
High-scoring Game 4 flips script on Stanley Cup
Buckley: Tuukka Rask ultimate straight shooter
Net gains: Chronicling where the goals are going
Notebook: Milan Lucic may put on an act
Players thrilled by sendoff from fans
Carl Soderberg warming up
B’s ignore smack talk
Buffalo Sabres
681922
681923
681924
681926
681927
681928
681930
681959
681960
681961
681962
681963
681964
Calgary Flames
681968
Canes general manager, NCSU chancellor discuss
scheduling issues at PNC Arena
Canes, NC State meet about scheduling dispute
681966
681967
681939
681940
681941
681942
681943
681944
681945
681946
681947
681948
681949
More Rozsival plays better for Hawks
Bruins shot blockers aren't rare breed
Stanley Cup Final: Game 5 spotlight
Hawks' Hossa good to go for Game 5
No time for Hawks to pace themselves
Krejci lays everything on the line
Bench Corey Crawford? You’re yanking my chain
VIEW FROM BOSTON: After Blackhawks’ shots, Lucic
defends Chara
Leddy, sit, go: Nick to see more action for Blackhawks
Bruins’ power play keeps Blackhawks guessing
Patrick Sharp flying under radar as playoff goal leader
Blackhawks’ playoff trend has been to improve as series
progress
For hockey players, pain part of the game
Hawks expect more ice time for Leddy
Like Kane, Sharp’s a big-game player for Hawks
Hawks show some love for Crawford’s glove
One-on-one with the Blackhawks GM
Sharp: We'll take Hossa at any percentage
What makes Bruins coach Julien tick?
New school vs. old school: Which Star is the better rapper,
Jamie Benn or Mike Modano?
'No Goal,' Lindy Ruff? 'It all worked out great for Dallas'
Lindy Ruff discusses new job: 'It's my first kick at going
through this'
Lindy Ruff introduced as Dallas Stars coach, accepting
'unbelievable opportunity'
New York Rangers announce hiring of Stars coaching
candidate Alain Vigneault
Heika: In Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars' second choice might be
the right one
Dallas Stars players sound off on new coach Lindy Ruff: 'I
definitely like his style'
New Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff an early adopter of
hockey analytics
With hard part over, Dallas Stars and Lindy Ruff move on to
next step of filling out coaching staff
Heika: Lindy Ruff attempting rebirth at place that celebrates
his greatest loss; 'Maybe the stars really are a
Lindy Ruff officially named Dallas Stars coach
Detroit Red Wings
681969
681970
681971
681972
Chicago Blackhawks
681931
681932
681933
681934
681935
681936
681937
681938
Blue Jackets: Prospal heads home as talks stall
Dallas Stars
681958
681965
Flooding causes 'shocking', unbelievable damage done to
Saddledome
Flood forces Calgary Flames prospect Ben Hanowski to
seek higher ground
Blackhawks Morning Skate Live to air on CSN
Boyle: Enjoying the Blackhawks' joy ride
Crawford, Hawks must step up defensive pressure
Leddy focused on being ready for more minutes
Hawks 'leaning on' Hossa for Game 5
Blackhawks' confidence in Crawford still as high as ever
Seabrook's true demeanor shines through
Columbus Blue Jackets
681957
Ruff pushes history aside, becomes new Stars coach
Ruff shows his wit, passion to coach in accepting job with
Stars
It's official: Stars hire Lindy Ruff as coach
Dallas Stars hire Lindy Ruff as head coach
Carolina Hurricanes
681929
Blackhawks cont'd
681950
681951
681952
681953
681954
681955
681956
Helene St. James: Red Wings will look at using buyouts if no
trades emerge before draft
Bracket: '84 Tigers vs. '97 Wings, which was Detroit's best
championship?
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk faces Pavel Datsyuk in voting for
TSN.ca's NHL Play of the Year
New Detroit Red Wings arena plan creates district where
'sky is the limit,' project architect says
Edmonton Oilers
681973
681974
681975
681976
Should the Edmonton Oilers’ break up their top line of Hall,
Eberle and Nugent-Hopkins?
Edmonton Oilers in the hunt for Buffalo Sabres forward Drew
Stafford?
Oilers power play could learn a trick from Wayne Gretzky
and Jari Kurri
Cult of Hockey: Edmonton Oilers’ power play needs to be
restructured
Los Angeles Kings
681977
681978
681979
Player evaluation: Bernier
John Tortorella to coach a divisional rival?
Remote controlled robot performs surgery on Sutter
Minnesota Wild
681980
Full Q&A with Wild owner Craig Leipold
Montreal Canadiens
681981
Emelin won’t change his physical style of play
Nashville Predators remain hot draw for Midstate hockey
fans
New York Rangers
682025
Nashville Predators
681982
681983
681984
681985
681986
681987
681988
681989
681990
681991
681992
681993
681994
681995
681996
681997
681998
681999
Set for Changes, Rangers Introduce Vigneault as Coach
Rangers Hire New Coach Vigneault With 5-Year Deal
Rangers Hire 'Perfect Fit' Vigneault as Head Coach
John Tortorella reportedly close to landing Canucks gig as
Rangers officially introduce Alain Vigneault as his
New York a perfect fit for new Rangers coach Alain
Vigneault and his family
Rangers GM Glen Sather says future of Brad Richards to be
discussed soon
Mark Messier’s fate with NY Rangers unknown
Jovial Vigneault introduced as Rangers coach; Sather touts
'style of play'
Vigneault preaches ‘latitude’ at Rangers intro
Coach’s smiling optimism a case of Torts reform
Rangers’ GM Sather moves to avoid hardball with Lundqvist
NHL: Tortorella, Canucks close to a deal
Rangers will be different in a lot of ways with Vigneault in
charge
Alain Vigneault will be a style change for Rangers
Alain Vigneault the right choice for Rangers
Give him credit, Sather does it his way
It’s official: Alain Vigneault is the Rangers’ head coach
Ottawa Senators
682000
682001
After Detroit doesn’t sign him, Ottawa native Alan Quine
heads back into the NHL draft
Ottawa Senators shouldn't rush to sign Danny Briere
Philadelphia Flyers
682002
682003
682004
682005
682006
Ashbee scholarship winner became Boston-area doctor, but
remains a Flyers fan
Agent sounds desperate in making his case for Bryzgalov
For Briere, parting is sweet sorrow
Addressing Flyers' top offseason questions
Agent: Flyers have 'no current plans to buy out' Bryz
Phoenix Coyotes
682007
682008
Dave Tippett agrees to contract extension with Phoenix
Coyotes
July 2 looms as key day for Phoenix Coyotes deal
San Jose Sharks
682009
Sharks talking to Stalock; Greiss likely out
Tampa Bay Lightning
682010
Dana Tyrell evacuated from Calgary condo to avoid flooding
Toronto Maple Leafs
682011
682012
Nonis set for hectic off-season in Toronto
Leafs are playing it safe in contract negotiations
Vancouver Canucks
682013
682014
682015
682016
682018
682019
Websites
682020
682021
682022
682023
682024
Tortorella arriving in Vancouver
New message from new Canucks coach will put Tortorella in
intense media spotlight
Canucks' hiring of John Tortorella feels an awful lot like Mike
Keenan 2.0
John Tortorella will be the new head coach of the Vancouver
Canucks, report says
High risk, high reward Tortorella would be an emotional
choice for Canucks
Gallagher’s Hat Trick: Courting Briere, landing Lindy, the
Coyote howl
682026
682027
682028
682029
682030
682031
682032
682033
682034
ESPN / Saad maturing quickly in the spotlight
ESPN / Canucks expected to hire Tortorella
ESPN / Vigneault, Tortorella ride coaching carousel
FOXSports.com /Kings' Mitchell showing signs of progress
NBCSports.com / Bernier bidding reportedly down to three:
Leafs, Flyers or Wild
NBCSports.com / Hossa misses practice, still expected to
play Game 5
NBCSports.com / ‘Hawks expect Leddy to ‘get back to
playing’ after Game 4 benching
NBCSports.com / ‘Hawks to stick with Crawford in Game 5,
water still wet
NBCSports.com / Report: Kostitsyn gets KHL offer, Preds
won’t object to him leaving
NBCSports.com / Holmgren: Briere buyout ‘very difficult
decision’ for Flyers
USA TODAY / Officials hope to release draft of Coyotes deal
next week
USA TODAY / Game 5 preview: 'Hawks need to keep traffic
in front of Tuukka Rask
USA TODAY / Crawford knocks down talk about vulnerability
USA TODAY / Rangers introduce Alain Vigneault as coach
YAHOO SPORTS / Why NHL superstars have it tough in the
Stanley Cup Final
SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129
681899
Boston Bruins
Kaspars Daugavins possibly out for Game 5; Carl Soderberg could make
playoff debut
By Fluto Shinzawa
| Globe Staff
June 22, 2013
CHICAGO — Kaspars Daugavins’s ice time decreased in each of the first
four games of the Stanley Cup Final.
That trend looks likely to continue.
During Friday’s practice at TD Garden, Daugavins wore a green jersey,
normally reserved for the healthy scratches. The other forwards wearing
green were Jordan Caron and Jay Pandolfo, who have yet to appear in the
playoffs.
Carl Soderberg replaced Daugavins on the fourth line alongside Rich
Peverley and Shawn Thornton for most of practice. The Bruins skated for
approximately an hour before leaving for Chicago.
“I was just trying something else here,” coach Claude Julien said. “Just a
different look.”
Daugavins played 15:09 in Game 1. The fourth-line left wing nearly scored
in triple overtime. Instead, Michal Rozsival’s shot thudded off Andrew Shaw
and beat Tuukka Rask for the winner.
In Game 2, Daugavins played 8:28. In Game 3, he played 6:30. In the first
period, Daugavins was called for roughing when he slammed his right
forearm into the side of Shaw’s head.
In Game 4, Daugavins played only 5:57.
The fourth line has lost its identity following Gregory Campbell’s injury in
Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The powerful unit of Campbell,
Thornton, and Daniel Paille is no more.
“I thought we had some productive minutes the last couple of games,”
Thornton said. “We’ve been spotted in and out as far as ice time. The other
lines have been really going. If we’re giving them a rest, then great. It’s not
excuses. But when it was me, Soupy, and Piesey, we were playing bigger
minutes. It’s easier to get into a better groove and create more of an identity
when you’re playing bigger minutes. When we are out there with Pevs and
whoever else is with us, you have to be productive to try and create energy
and good shifts while you’re out there.”
Peverley, the fourth-line center, had one of his sharpest performances in
Game 4. Peverley played with confidence after scoring a power-play goal in
the first period. He was rewarded with shifts on the third line with Paille and
Chris Kelly.
But while Peverley took more shifts, Daugavins and Thornton were shunted
out of the 10-forward rotation.
“Last game, I thought as a line, we could have been better,” Thornton said.
“But I think it was one of Pevs’s best games in a long time. He kind of
carried us a little bit.”
Soderberg has yet to play in the postseason. Soderberg dressed for six
regular-season games, but did not play on the fourth line in any of those
games.
“I haven’t talked to Coach yet, so I don’t know what’s happening tomorrow,”
Soderberg said. “I have been practicing for a long time now, so I feel
ready.”
Soderberg was a candidate to play in Game 2 following Nathan Horton’s
upper-body injury in Game 1. Had Horton not been available, Tyler Seguin
would have moved up to the first line. Soderberg could have replaced
Seguin on the third line.
“I’ve been here for 11 weeks now so I know the system,” Soderberg said. “I
haven’t played games in a while but if I’m playing tomorrow it will go well. I
know everything.”
Playing to strength
The Bruins went 2 for 5 on the power play in Game 4. Peverley and Patrice
Bergeron scored five-on-four goals.
The Bruins are 4 for 13 on the power play in the series. They only failed to
score a man-advantage goal in Game 2, when they went 0 for 2.
“Right now, we’re playing with a lot of confidence on the power play,” Julien
said. “It’s like anything else. Confidence is a big part of the game. When
you start feeling it you try and hold onto it as long as you can. Right now, I
think our guys are feeling it and feel confident about how we’re handling the
puck and moving it around. I think we’re making some good decisions on
the power play and it certainly has gotten better. For all the struggles we
had with it, what better time than now to be pretty decent on it.”
Any which way
The Bruins scored all five of their goals in Game 4 glove side on Corey
Crawford. “I don’t think it was done purposely on our end of it,” Julien said.
“We happened to shoot there because that’s where the opening was at that
time. But I think you can score on other areas, hopefully, on Corey
Crawford than just the glove. It’s one of those games where a lot of them
went on that side. At the end of the day, you’re looking for ways to score
goals. Whether it’s cross-ice or tips or screens or whatever, it doesn’t really
matter.” . . . The Bruins have no intentions of playing from behind on
Saturday like they did for most of Wednesday’s overtime loss. The Bruins
had to overcome a pair of two-goal deficits. “First of all, it’s not the way we
want to play,” David Krejci said. “Second of all, it takes lots of energy out of
you. I’m sure it’s the same for both teams. But that’s the game they like to
play. They have really fast forwards, fast defensemen. They’re always up
the ice. We have to slow them down.” . . . The Bruins are scheduled to
remain in Chicago after Game 5. They will travel to Boston on Sunday in
preparation for Monday’s Game 6.
Fluto Shinzawa
Boston Globe LOADED: 06.22.2013
681900
Boston Bruins
Bruins’ top line must play at top level
To get where the Bruins want to go, to ensure that the Cup will return to
Boston for the second time in three years, they’ll have to get back to that
very good performance. They’ll have to be the top line they know they can
be.
By Amalie Benjamin
“I certainly wouldn’t be the guy to complain about their performance so far,”
coach Claude Julien said. “They’ve been pretty good. But at one point you
get to the Final and everybody wants to give a little bit more.
| Globe staff
June 22, 2013
“I think they’re no different. They’re a line that’s very proud of what they’ve
accomplished in these playoffs so far and would like to finish on a good
note.
“If we can get a little bit more from those guys, it would be a bonus.”
CHICAGO — They started out nearly unstoppable in the Stanley Cup
playoffs, a first line worthy of the designation. David Krejci seemed to score
at will, with linemates Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic not far behind. Krejci
raced to the top of the playoff points list.
And then the line was put on hold.
In the last three games of the Stanley Cup Final, the trio has combined to
produce just one goal — Lucic getting a strike in Game 4. They were shut
out in Games 2 and 3.
That has to change.
“I think we had some strong games in Chicago, but didn’t play like we
wanted to the last two games at home,” Krejci said. “We just played so-so.
But we have more to offer than we did the last two games. We’ll try to be
better.”
The emergence of Daniel Paille and his third line (with Chris Kelly and Tyler
Seguin) took some of the burden off the top line. But Krejci’s line can’t
disappear. That’s where the Bruins get most of their scoring, and that will
become even more crucial as the series becomes a best-of-three starting
Saturday night at the United Center.
“We have to be big,” Krejci said. “We have to be playing great. We have to
be playing the way we know how to play. We also need the other lines to
play our hockey.”
The team — first line included — needs to play Bruins hockey, Krejci said.
That means not ending up in the kind of up-and-down goal-fest the teams
played Wednesday night in Game 4. That doesn’t play to the strengths of
the Bruins.
It doesn’t play to the strengths of the first line.
“Just play the game,” Krejci said, of what they need to do. “It’s not like we
[stunk] or something last game. I felt we just played so-so. But so-so isn’t
good enough.
“We have to skate hard, we have to hit, we have to pay attention to little
details. And as far as our line goes, we have to take care of our defensive
zone first, and go from there.”
It’s possible that the struggles of Krejci, Horton, and Lucic can be traced
back to the first overtime of Game 1 of the series, when Horton skated off
the ice clearly in pain. But he has been back since, and his linemates
downplayed that factor.
“He’s still doing his thing,” Krejci said. “I don’t think we should talk about
him. I think we should talk about us a line. Each of us, we have to help each
other a little more. And maybe the last couple of games, we didn’t look like
the line we would like to play in these Finals.
“But we know we can do it good. We know we can do it against Chicago.
We did it the first couple of games here. So we’re ready to bounce back.”
The linemates acknowledge that the Blackhawks might have made some
defensive changes in response to their play. But that doesn’t absolve them.
They need to make some adjustments of their own.
“It’s tough to say,” Lucic said. “They’ve been playing us tight from Game 1.
They’ve been keeping a good gap. As you can tell, they definitely try to take
away your space in all areas, in all three zones. It really is hard to say.
“I think we have to definitely be better as a line. We’ve got to find a way to
break through whatever kind of adjustments that they’ve made.”
So far in these playoffs, Krejci has amassed 24 points. Horton has 19,
Lucic, 17. They have been very good, with the exception of the past few
games.
Amalie Benjamin
Boston Globe LOADED: 06.22.2013
681901
Boston Bruins
Bruins insist Chara doesn't mind contact
By ANDREW SELIGMAN / AP Sports Writer / June 21, 2013
They dismissed the idea that the Blackhawks might have exposed him,
insisted he wasn’t to blame for all those goals and vowed Game 5 will be a
different story.
‘‘You expect great things out of him all the time because he delivers,’’
Ference said. ‘‘Just because you’re on the ice doesn’t mean it’s your fault.
We've all seen enough games to know that. He has a lot of pride, but he
also wants another Cup so I think that’s going to trump any other feeling.’’
Boston Globe LOADED: 06.22.2013
CHICAGO — The idea that a little contact can throw off Zdeno Chara left
Milan Lucic shaking his head and wondering who exactly is drawing up the
scouting reports for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Sure, they went right at Boston’s big, bad defenseman in Game 4. If they
want to try that again, the Bruins had three words for them: bring it on.
‘‘Honestly, I don’t know where they would get that scouting report from,’’
Lucic said on Friday. ‘‘He definitely doesn’t mind the physical play at all.
Once again, I don’t know where they would get that scouting report from.’’
The Blackhawks seem to believe they were on to something after they
challenged Chara in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals and came away with
a 6-5 overtime victory.
The Bruins, meanwhile, reacted with a collective shrug. Either way, the
series is knotted at two games apiece as it shifts back to the United Center
for Game 5 on Saturday.
‘‘To be honest, we don’t care what they thought they've figured out because
it’s about us right now and making sure we’re ready for Game 5,’’ Boston’s
Patrice Bergeron said.
Chicago went right at Chara in Game 4 and came away with the belief that
that’s the way to neutralize the 6-foot-9 defenseman — attack rather than
avoid. For one night, the strategy worked.
Chara was on the ice for all but one of the Blackhawks’ goals and was a
minus-3 for the game, tying a season worst.
‘‘I think maybe at times in the first couple games we were giving him a little
bit too much respect by trying to keep the puck away from him,’’
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said. ‘‘He’s not a guy that we should
be afraid of. We should go at him, protect the puck from him, make plays
around him and through him.’’
It was clear early in Game 4 that the Blackhawks weren’t going to back
down.
Bryan Bickell drove his shoulder into Chara in the corner and took down the
tallest player in the league, certainly not the hardest hit of his career but one
that allowed Chicago to maintain possession in Boston’s zone.
It also sent out a loud message that the Blackhawks were going to attack,
take the fight to him.
‘‘I've seen guys try to get under his skin,’’ Boston’s Andrew Ference said.
‘‘He’s pretty hard to physically target. I don’t think there’s a lot of weak
personalities at this point. Teams that are successful don’t have a lot of
room for guys that can’t take criticism, can’t take abuse on the ice. That
doesn’t mean dirty (play), that just means the rigors of the game.’’
Chara’s skill, endurance and reach make him one of the most difficult
matchups in the league, and that was probably one reason why Chicago
coach Joel Quenneville opted not to go with Toews and Patrick Kane on the
same line the first three games.
Separating his biggest stars spreads out the skill and wears out defenses,
but the Blackhawks needed a change so he put them together, hoping to
challenge Chara.
Then, there was the physical component.
Besides the hit by Bickell, another example came on the winning goal in
overtime. There was Toews tussling with Chara in front of the net,
screening Tuukka Rask, as Brent Seabrook ripped a shot from just inside
the blue line.
‘‘He doesn’t like getting hit,’’ Bickell said. ‘‘Not a lot of guys attempt it, but to
get a hit on him and to see him fall down, it’s rare, but I just needed to keep
it going.’’
The idea that Chara doesn’t like to get hit was news to the Bruins, and they
were quick to rush to his defense.
681902
Boston Bruins
Bruins need more from first line in Game 5
Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff June 21, 2013 06:01 PM
CHICAGO – The Bruins arrived in Chicago late Friday afternoon following
their morning practice at TD Garden.
Tomorrow in Game 5, they would like to submit a better start. The
Blackhawks have been the sharper team in three of the four games of the
Stanley Cup Final. The only exception was Game 3, when the Bruins
claimed a 2-0 win.
To that end, the Bruins would like some more production from their first line.
Milan Lucic scored in Game 4. But Lucic, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton
haven’t shown the offensive-zone presence they demonstrated earlier.
They’ve taken most of their shifts against Chicago’s defensive pairing of
Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
“They’re a line that’s very proud of what they’ve accomplished in these
playoffs so far,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “They’d like to finish on a
good note. So if we can get a little bit more out of those guys, I think it
would be a bonus for us.”
On the other end, the Bruins will have to be better against Chicago’s new
No. 1 line of Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane. The three
were reunited in Game 4. They were apart for the first three games after
helping to close out Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals. Toews
and Kane scored their first goals of the series in Game 4.
Boston Globe LOADED: 06.22.2013
681903
Boston Bruins
Marian Hossa doesn't practice, but Blackhawks say he'll be ready for Game
5
Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff June 21, 2013 02:21 PM
CHICAGO -- Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was absent from practice
at the United Center Friday morning, but coach Joel Quenneville said he'll
be good to go for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday night.
"Yeah, Hossa is fine," said Quenneville. "We expect him to be the same.
One thing about Hossa, production offensively or responsibility defensively,
complementing our team game in all facets of our game is what we look for.
The consistency of what he brings day in and day out is what makes him a
special player and a valuable addition to our team.
"I think in all areas we're going to be leaning on him,'' said Quenneville, who
indicated that Hossa could see more time on the penalty kill. "No matter
where we put him, you know he's going to get the job done. I would expect
him to be feeling a lot more comfortable going into tomorrow's game."
Jamal Mayers skated in Hossa's place at practice Friday.
Hossa, who is tied for second on the Blackhawks and tied for fifth overall in
playoff scoring (7 goals, 9 assists) missed Game 3 of the series, a 2-0
Bruins win, with what the Blackhawks confirmed was an upper-body injury.
He was back in the lineup for Wednesday's Game 4, a 6-5 Blackhawks
victory at TD Garden.
"I liked his contribution last game,'' said Quenneville. "Defensively, you
know Hossa is always going to be in the right spot and not give up anything
on that end of it.
"We're very happy to use him, whatever number you want to say
percentage that he's ready at. Everybody has different limitations but
everybody gives it their all."
Boston Globe LOADED: 06.22.2013
681904
Boston Bruins
Soderberg could debut in Game 5
Posted by Staff June 21, 2013 12:18 PM
By Emily Kaplan, Globe Correspondent
The Merlot Line may have a new addition -- but the Bruins won't confirm it
yet.
Carl Soderberg, the 6-foot-3-inch, 210-pound Swedish forward, skated with
Boston's fourth line for most of practice Friday morning. The Bruins skated
for about an hour before departing TD Garden for Chicago.
Soderberg wore a wine-colored practice jersey and skated alongside Rich
Peverley and Shawn Thornton for a majority of the drills.
Kaspars Daugavins, who played in the last five playoff games, wore a green
jersey, normally reserved for the scratched players. Daugavins took a few
rushes with Peverley and Thornton toward the end of practice.
Boston coach Claude Julien would not say whether Soderberg would be in
the lineup for Game 5.
"I was just trying something else here," Julien said. "Just a different look."
After practice, Soderberg said he was unsure of his status.
"I haven’t talked to Coach yet, so I don’t know what’s happening tomorrow,"
he said. "I have been practicing for a long time now, so I feel ready."
Soderberg was traded to the Bruins in 2007. He played his entire career in
Europe until April, when he agreed to a contract with Boston after months of
negotiations. Soderberg has been practicing with the team since then.
"I’ve been here for 11 weeks now so I know the system," Soderberg said. "I
haven’t played games in a while, but if I’m playing tomorrow, it will go well. I
know everything."
The 27-year-old led the Swedish Elite League this season with 31 goals.
Daugavins has played only 52 minutes over his six playoff games. He took
only nine shifts in Game 4, logging less than six minutes of ice time. He has
not registered a point and missed an open net in the third overtime of Game
1.
After practice Friday morning, the team boarded buses in TD Garden's
parking lot. There were about 1,000 fans there to greet them. Some fans
arrived by 9 a.m. The Bruins walked out a few minutes before noon.
The crowd, mostly dressed in black and gold, cheered as the players
walked by, calling out familiar chants like "Let's go Bruins!" and "We want
the Cup!"
Some players, including goalie Tuukka Rask, spent about 10 minutes giving
autographs.
It was the longest day of the year, and the hottest day in Boston in a while.
The sun beamed on the pavement, and Bruins staff members handed out
water to some fans in the front of the line.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681905
Boston Bruins
Stanley Cup Today: Teams seeking an edge
Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff June 21, 2013 07:00 AM
With the series tied, 2-2, it's safe to say that the feeling-out process
between the Blackhawks and Bruins is officially over. Each team has played
and split two games on its home ice. We've seen four overtimes, a shutout,
and a shootout. As the series turns into a best-of-three, it becomes harder
and harder to envision any surprises.
Skaters from both teams seemed to figure out the goaltenders in Game 4,
which was a change from the previous three games in which Bruins goalie
Tuukka Rask was relatively dominant. It wasn't all Rask's fault. The Bruins
allowed far too many juicy rebounds, and the game turned into something
of a track meet. Do the Bruins need to play a more conservative, defensive
style in Game 5? We should have a better idea of their philosophy on that
by the way they come out in the first period Saturday night.
***
Links from Chicago
The Chicago Tribune says it's a Stanley Cup for the ages.
Hawks captain Brent Seabrook, who scored the game-winner Wednesday,
is also a vocal leader.
The Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Blackhawks are no longer avoiding
Zdeno Chara.
***
What you may have missed
In the latest episode of Globe 10.0, Kevin Paul Dupont and Steve Silva ask,
"Do the Bruins need to be more defensive?"
Eric Wilbur says that even when playing a bad game, the Bruins are still
pretty good.
Chad Finn writes that this thing is going seven.
***
Hot on social
Need some comic relief? Enjoy the Don Cherry Piano Desk!
http://t.co/Z9Dv1RSmUf (thanks to my buddy @sethlandman for sending
that over)
— Adam Kaufman (@AdamMKaufman) June 20, 2013
Need some comic relief? Enjoy the Don Cherry piano desk.
***
What's coming
Steve Silva will produce a Championship Today video after the Bruins meet
the media in Chicago this afternoon, and that will be a Game 5 preview.
Look for it in the late afternoon.
Chad Finn will check in with his latest column, and also host a chat session
at 2:30 p.m. from Chicago.
Look for a new post from our partners at Bruins Daily.
All the latest news from both teams as the series shifts back to Chicago.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681906
Boston Bruins
Blackhawks stick with Corey Crawford in net
By Daniel I. Dorfman
| Globe Correspondent
June 21, 2013
CHICAGO — Blackhawks players and coaches were not panicking over the
play of goaltender Corey Crawford, who let in five goals in Wednesday
night’s Game 4 victory over the Bruins.
“I don’t really see anything terribly wrong with the way he played,” captain
Jonathan Toews said on Thursday. “Maybe some of the shots from far out
that went in overshadowed some of the stops that he did make.”
Crawford struggled with his glove, as all five goals went to that side. Coach
Joel Quenneville said he would talk to Crawford about that, but there was
no way he would switch to backup Ray Emery, who has not played since
the end of the regular season.
“[Wednesday] night’s game was one of those games where pucks were
going in,” Quenneville said. “But all year long Corey has just moved on, and
he just moves from save to save and it doesn’t faze him.”
Challenging Chara
Among the eye-popping stats from Wednesday’s shootout were the five
Blackhawks goals scored with Bruins captain Zdeno Chara on the ice.
Quenneville reassembled the line of Toews, Patrick Kane, and Bryan
Bickell, and it performed well against Chara.
The Blackhawks said Thursday it was time to stop avoiding Chara. “Maybe
at times in the first couple games we were giving him a little bit too much
respect by trying to keep the puck away from him,” Toews said. “He’s not a
guy that we should be afraid of. We should go at him, protect the puck from
him, make plays around him and through him. We [have to] use our speed.
That same combination was not afraid to physically challenge Chara,
starting with a hit in the first period courtesy of the 6-foot-4-inch Bickell. “He
doesn’t like getting hit,” Bickell said. “Not a lot of guys attempt it, but to get a
hit on him and to see him fall down, it’s rare, but I just needed to keep it
going.”
Leddy struggling
Quenneville shortened his bench in Game 4, going with only five
defensemen for the most part, as Nick Leddy was limited to four shifts and
2:37 of ice time. Leddy is a minus-7 in the playoffs, but Quenneville implied
he would play in Saturday night’s Game 5.
“We didn’t play him a ton [Wednesday] night,” said Quenneville, “but we still
think that we’ll be home and we look to get him back going.”
Breakthrough
What was Toews’s reaction when he tipped in a Michal Rozsival shot for
only his second goal of the playoffs?
“Finally,” he said. “Just wanted a lucky one, and that was it.”
But Toews acknowledges there is more work to do. “It’s not time to just
dwell on that one goal,” he said. “I have to use that confidence and go find a
way to score more.”
Facing the problem
One major improvement for the Blackhawks in Game 4 was the nearly even
split on faceoffs won (Bruins, 39-38). That was far different than Game 3,
when the Bruins overwhelmed the Blackhawks, 40-16.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681907
Boston Bruins
Brent Seabrook a leader for Blackhawks
By Daniel I. Dorfman
| Globe Correspondent
June 21, 2013
CHICAGO — When people look back on the Blackhawks’ 2013 playoffs,
Brent Seabrook’s overtime goals are likely to be the first things
remembered. But his off-ice contributions, specifically his counsel/prodding
of captain Jonathan Toews, may prove to be just as important.
Seabrook’s OT goal in Wednesday night’s 6-5 victory over the Bruins
leveled the Stanley Cup Final at two games apiece. Yet it was a discussion
with Toews at a Boston bar that turned the tide of the series.
Following Game 3, Seabrook, who has played with Toews for six seasons,
decided he needed to approach the team’s leader, who had scored all of
one goal in the playoffs. There had been plenty of talk that Toews was
playing well, just having a streak of bad luck.
Seabrook saw it differently.
“I was sick and tired of hearing everybody talk about everything that Johnny
is doing right,” Seabrook said Thursday. “He’s a great player. He’s one of
the best in the league. And I just told him that he’s got to stop thinking about
that, too. He’s got to stop thinking about everything that he’s doing right and
start worrying about not scoring goals for us. He has to score goals for us.”
Toews responded Wednesday with a tip-in on a shot from defenseman
Michal Rozsival at 6:33 in the second period, and the reunited line of
Toews, Patrick Kane, and Bryan Bickell was on the ice for three of
Chicago’s goals.
Toews was quick to point out that Seabrook was not being nasty when they
talked, simply it was a reminder that it was time to get going.
“He just asked me, ‘What are you thinking about,’ ” Toews said. “I was like,
‘Nothing, what are you thinking about?’ And he looked at me again and I
realized what he wanted me to say, and I snapped back and said, ‘scoring
goals.’ ”
It wasn’t the first time in these playoffs Seabrook has had to mentor Toews.
Chicago was on the brink of elimination when it fell behind, three games to
one, to Detroit in the second round. To symbolize the team’s frustration in
Game 4, the usually stoic Toews picked up three penalties in one period. It
was Seabrook who calmed him down. The series turned, and the
Blackhawks notched three straight wins, capped by an overtime goal in
Game 7 by, of all people, Seabrook.
Wednesday’s winner marked another peak in a playoff run that has been
quite the odyssey for Seabrook. There have been the highs of the gamewinning goals, but also some lows, with coach Joel Quenneville’s reducing
his playing time in the Detroit series and separating him from Duncan Keith;
they have formed Chicago’s top defense pairing for years.
Eventually, Seabrook’s play turned around enough to convince Quenneville
to put him back with Keith, and the coach was praising Seabrook’s efforts
Thursday, in all facets of the game, especially when it comes to advising his
many younger teammates.
“Since I’ve been here, he’s one of the guys that doesn’t wear a letter but
he’s definitely a big part of our leadership group,” Quenneville said. “I think
he got excited about getting back playing with Duncan and getting more ice
time, and I think his game responded accordingly.”
As for his overtime goals, Seabrook could not come up with a reason for his
success in extra periods, but cherishes the opportunity to play in those
situations.
“You get a chance, you get a lane, and you try and put it on net, and they’ve
gone in,” Seabrook said. “I grew up loving [overtime], and just to be able to
get opportunities and play in games like that, they’re a lot of fun, and
everything is right on the line. I think I definitely try and raise my game in
overtime and try and be better.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681908
Boston Bruins
replacements if they’re seeking a more dependable fourth-line left wing.
Both Caron and Pandolfo are responsible defensively and exhibit sharper
hockey sense than Daugavins.
Rich Peverley finally adds to offense
However, neither Caron nor Pandolfo has dressed for a playoff game. Both
wings may have too much rust to knock off.
By Fluto Shinzawa
A day off
| Globe Staff
June 21, 2013
This has not been a kind postseason for Rich Peverley.
The all-purpose forward was a healthy scratch for Game 1 against Toronto.
Peverley scored a goal in the Bruins’ 5-2 Game 3 win over the Maple Leafs.
After that, he went 16 straight games without collecting a point.
Peverley finally halted that streak in Game 4 of the Cup Final Wednesday.
In the first period, Peverley whipped a power-play shot past Corey Crawford
to make it a 1-1 game.
“You could just see that extra stride in his step after he popped that goal,”
Tyler Seguin said.
Peverley took advantage of two misplays by Brandon Saad and an
interception by Andrew Ference. Saad started by failing to clear the puck
out of the defensive zone. Ference, holding the left point, picked off Saad’s
attempt. Saad blocked Ference’s shot, but couldn’t swipe the rebound
clear.
Peverley pounced on the loose puck. Before Crawford could react, Peverley
snapped the puck over the goalie’s glove at 14:43 of the first period.
Peverley started the series as the No. 3 left wing alongside Seguin and
Chris Kelly. But Peverley was demoted to the fourth line in Game 2 when
coach Claude Julien moved Daniel Paille to the third line.
Peverley may not be a permanent fourth-line resident. He gained
confidence after his power-play goal. He skated assertively and created
scoring chances. Peverley recorded four shots, the most he’s landed in the
playoffs. Of Peverley’s 13:38 of ice time, 51 seconds took place on the
power play. Peverley had been taken off both units prior to Game 4.
Peverley’s presence prompted Julien to give him some third-line shifts with
Paille and Kelly. On the penalty kill, Peverley played 1:38, most of any
Boston forward.
“Rich was skating well [Wednesday] night,” Julien said. “That’s why, a few
times, I bumped him up. He was taking some faceoffs. The guy’s got a
really good, quick release on his shot. So, it was nice to see him score that
goal.”
Rask still confident
Tuukka Rask allowed a postseason-high six goals in Game 4. Rask had
given up four goals in four previous games, including three losses.
But when Rask evaluated Chicago’s Game 4 goals, he didn’t consider any
soft. Rask’s only shortcoming was his inability to make timely saves to rub
out his teammates’ errors.
“Every goal is stoppable, but I don’t think there were any weak ones, so to
speak,” Rask said. “Mistakes piled up and I wasn’t able to bail our guys out.
Sometimes you do, sometimes you don’t. You don’t say, ‘I should have it or
I shouldn’t have had it.’ It doesn’t make any difference.”
Change coming?
If the Bruins alter their Game 5 lineup, Kaspars Daugavins could be a
candidate to hit the press box. Daugavins skated only nine shifts for 5:57 of
ice time in Game 4.
The No. 4 left wing’s ice time has decreased in every game. In Game 1,
Daugavins played 15:09. Daugavins had a glittering scoring chance in triple
overtime.
In Game 2, Daugavins played 8:28. In Game 3, Daugavins played just 6:30.
In the first period, Daugavins was called for an ill-advised roughing penalty
on Andrew Shaw.
Based on his ice time, Daugavins hasn’t gained the trust of the coaching
staff. The Bruins could consider Jordan Caron or Jay Pandolfo as
The Bruins didn’t practice Thursday. They will practice Friday morning at
TD Garden prior to their departure for Chicago. The Bruins will host a
sendoff in the Garden parking lot starting at 11 a.m. on Friday . . . Kelly
wasn’t fooled into thinking he had scored on an open-net bid from the
crease’s doorstep in the final frantic minute of Game 4’s wild-and-wooly
second period. Kelly knew when the building filled with the sound of a fog
horn blast, which accompanies every Bruins’ goal, it was premature. Asked
if it had given him pause to wonder if he had indeed scored on the play,
Kelly deadpanned, “No, I know I didn’t score. I looked up and saw there
was 40 seconds left, but it threw everyone off.” . . . The Bruins do not want
to trail the Blackhawks after 40 minutes in Game 5. Chicago is 9-0 when
taking a lead into the third. The Blackhawks held a 4-3 lead after two
periods in Game 4.
Michael Vega
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681909
Boston Bruins
Steve Levy beats NHL drum at ESPN
By Chad Finn
| Globe Staff
June 21, 2013
“We fight the fight every day — Bucci [John Buccigross], Linda Cohn,
myself — and the fight starts at 5 p.m. when we go into those
‘SportsCenter’ meetings for the 11 o’clock show that night,’’ Levy said.
“We’ll go around the room and say, ‘OK, what have you got?’ and invariably
one of us — and there are others, too — will always try to make a hockey
point, try to make sure it’s higher in the show.
“The people who make those decisions, they have the final say, but we’re
always trying. I want to champion the sport. I love all sports and follow them
closely because of my ‘SportsCenter’ job. But hockey has always been my
first love.”
Remy eager to return
So far during the Bruins’ Stanley Cup Final matchup with the Blackhawks,
regulation time has been a rarely heeded suggestion, the first 60 minutes a
warmup act for the sudden-death drama of overtime.
Three of the four games have gone to extra time, with the opener requiring
three overtimes before it was settled. Only Game 3, a 2-0 Bruins victory, did
not provide bonus hockey.
It’s been exhilarating, enthralling, and exhausting.
Or, just Steve Levy’s kind of hockey series.
“With my personal experience, I don’t even start getting excited about a
double-overtime classic,’’ laughed Levy, the longtime ESPN “SportsCenter’’
anchor and resident hockey nut. “When you get into a third overtime, now
you’ve got my attention.’’
Levy, who will celebrate his 20th year at ESPN in August, was a prominent
and well-respected NHL play-by-play voice on the network from 1995-2004.
That was when ESPN had the television rights and considerably more
interest in the league than it shows now that the games are broadcast on
NBC and NBC Sports Network.
It was during that period that Levy got tagged with the nickname “Mr.
Overtime,’’ and for good reason: He called the three longest televised
playoff games in NHL history. First was a four-overtime matchup between
the Penguins and Capitals in April 1996. Four years later, in May 2000,
Levy was the voice of a five-overtime thriller between the Penguins and
Flyers. Then, in April 2003, he called another five-overtime epic, this one
between the Ducks and Stars.
“I just remember, as we went into the third overtime in the first game of this
series — an awesome game, great scoring chances — here we are in triple
OT, it’s sluggish out there, everybody’s tired, and I’m like, ‘We’re not even
close to four overtimes, let alone five overtimes,’ ’’ said Levy. “Looking back
on it, it’s amazing how long those games went.”
NBC’s superb play-by-play voice, Mike Emrick, has said his trick for
keeping up his energy during the prolonged games is maintaining a stash of
peanut butter sandwiches in the broadcast booth. Levy said he got his
boost during those marathon games from something just as fundamental as
food: fear.
“I always tell people, that’s what kept me going,’’ said Levy, who knows
something about long journeys, having commuted from Boston to Bristol,
Conn., for 11 years before moving to the Hartford suburbs. “The fear of
blowing a call in a triple or a fourth or a fifth overtime, because you know
that the call everyone is going to replay over the years.
“At some point you start to lose focus, start running out of words almost,
and it’s that fear that keeps you going. You don’t want to get the wrong
name on a five-overtime goal.”
Levy, along with sidekick Barry Melrose, does fine work covering the
Stanley Cup playoffs for ESPN. But since the network lost the rights, the
sport has fallen somewhere down the depth chart as a priority.
“I’d love to have hockey back on ESPN. I miss it a lot,’’ Levy said. “I can tell
you there are so many people here, behind the scenes, who really love the
sport. I remember the day we lost the rights, it was like someone had lost
their dog. People were crying, people were really upset. ESPN remains a
huge hockey hotbed — behind the scenes anyway.”
Still, one doesn’t have to be a cynic to recognize that given a choice
between offering a little extra time to the Stanley Cup Final or, say, a
polarizing lefthanded wannabe quarterback’s third day of minicamp as a
Patriot, let’s just say the puck talk is getting dropped while one more Tim
Tebow debate will be embraced to the point of suffocation.
Given his well-documented medical history, it’s always a concern when
Jerry Remy misses time from the NESN/Red Sox broadcast booth,
particularly when he’s scarcely heard from during the absence.
So it was reassuring to hear his voice during a conference call Wednesday
in which Remy, who had been out since May 28 with allergies and
pneumonia, said he had clearance from his doctors to get back at it
Tuesday when the Sox face the Rockies at Fenway. Particularly since he
sounded well and spoke with such candor about how much the job still
means to him.
“Look, it’s what I love to do,’’ said Remy, whose first Red Sox broadcast
was in 1988. “It’s hard for me to sit back and not be able to do my job.
Unfortunately, things like this are going to pop up, and it’s hard for me to
deal with them.
“What keeps me going is that I enjoy my job very, very much, and I’m really
looking forward to Tuesday night. It’s part of my life and what I enjoy doing
the most, and I’ve always said, when I eventually retire from doing this, it
will be much harder than when I retired as a baseball player.”
Odd similarities
The local television coverage on Channels 7 and 25 as Aaron Hernandez’s
vehicle was trailed by helicopters en route from his home to Gillette
Stadium and then into Boston Thursday afternoon was an eerie and surreal
reminder of O.J. Simpson’s slow-speed police chase 19 years ago this
month. The circumstances were not the same, but the similarities were too
obvious to miss, from the white sport utility vehicle to the involvement of a
football star to the scene occurring on the same day as a game of the NBA
Finals.
Chad Finn
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681910
Boston Bruins
Bruins want better start in Game 5
By Fluto Shinzawa
| Globe Staff
June 21, 2013
Tyler Seguin’s Game 4 started well. At 5:18 of the first period, he forced
Johnny Oduya to take an interference penalty.
Because of Seguin’s speed, the Bruins went on their first power play of the
night. They could have grabbed a 1-0 lead with a goal and dumped the
Blackhawks in an early ditch.
Instead, it was the other way around.
On the power play, Seguin tried to hold the left point. He knew Brandon
Saad was challenging, but Seguin wasn’t strong enough on the puck. Saad
picked the puck off Seguin’s blade and scurried away. At the other end,
Michal Handzus scored the game’s first goal. The Blackhawks never trailed.
“I knew the guy was there,” Seguin said. “But I still almost got surprised by
him. I’ve been very good at being hard on my stick. But he stripped me
there. I couldn’t catch up with the play. It was just one that I’d like to have
back.”
The misplay didn’t help the Bruins launch the start they wanted. Handzus’s
shorthanded goal gave the Blackhawks early energy. The Bruins chased
the game until overtime, when Brent Seabrook whistled a slap shot past
Tuukka Rask.
It was the third time in four games the Blackhawks displayed more pep and
efficiency at the start than the Bruins. The Bruins were better early only in
Game 3, when they claimed a 2-0 win.
“If there’s one thing in this series so far, they’ve definitely had the better
starts,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “That’s an area where we keep
talking about having a better start. They’ve had the advantage on us in that
department. We’re working on hopefully having some better starts. There’s
a maximum of three games left. Hopefully, we get better starts in those
games.”
Seguin couldn’t recover from Saad’s strip. Seguin had just one shot in
15:18 of ice time. He lost some of his shifts on the third line to Rich
Peverley.
“I’m still working hard, but with that first power-play goal I gave up, I really
got hard on myself there,” Seguin said. “You want to improve, but then they
popped a couple more. You’ve just got to face the music and respond.”
Seguin had company. In retrospect, Julien noted that none of his players
could say he submitted a great performance, especially in the neutral zone,
an area critical to the Bruins’ success.
It is in center ice where the Bruins force the most mistakes when they’re on
their game. The first forechecker steers the opposing puck carrier into the
teeth of the defense. When a pass skitters away or an exchange goes sour,
the Bruins are prompt to pounce on the puck. Once they gain control, they
initiate their transition game with numbers.
In Game 4, the Bruins weren’t sharp in the neutral zone. They didn’t force
enough turnovers. The Blackhawks had clean, speedy entries through
center ice into the offensive zone. The backtracking Bruins had to chase the
puck. It is not their preferred approach.
“I thought we gave them a lot of space,” Julien said. “It doesn’t mean they
don’t have pace to their game. But it means we gave them too many
options. The neutral zone for me, not just on the forecheck but on the
counter, wasn’t very good. Our counterattack wasn’t as good as it could
have been or should have been in regards to that.”
Chicago’s best line was its top unit of Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, and
Patrick Kane. It was the line that closed out Los Angeles in the Western
Conference finals.
For the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final, Chicago coach Joel
Quenneville was wary of pairing Toews and Kane. The Blackhawks were
worried that Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg would neutralize the topheavy lineup.
But the first line responded with its most dominant performance in Game 4.
Toews and Kane scored their first goals of the series. Bickell was a heavy
net-front presence.
Seidenberg was on the ice for four of Chicago’s six goals. In the second
period, Seidenberg blocked a Michael Rozsival shot. But Seidenberg
couldn’t sweep away the rebound. Moments later, Kane scored to give
Chicago a 3-1 lead.
Later in the second, Seidenberg pinched up the ice and failed to seal off the
attack. The Blackhawks had a two-on-one rush against Chara, and Marcus
Kruger buried his second attempt.
Seidenberg was on the ice for Patrick Sharp’s third-period power-play goal.
In overtime, Rask leaned to his left to peek around a Seidenberg screen. An
instant later, Seabrook ripped his shot blocker side. Had Rask not been
leaning left, he might have been positioned to stop the shot.
“The goal that we gave up, a lot of times guys were just not being in the
right place where they should have been,” Julien said. “Instead of stopping
in our positions, we did a lot of curling [Wednesday] night, which is usually a
sign of our team struggling.”
If the Bruins fix their sputtering starts, tighten up the neutral zone, and
improve their defensive-zone positioning, they should be in good shape for
Game 5. Despite the 6-5 overtime setback in Game 4, the Bruins rallied
from a pair of two-goal deficits. They scored two power-play goals. They
targeted Corey Crawford’s withering glove, which promises to be a bull’seye in Game 6.
Crawford waved at all five goals.
“A few goals were on the glove side there,” Brad Marchand said. “But there
was a ton of really nice opportunities we had there that he saved on the
glove side as well. Just lucky shots.”
Fluto Shinzawa
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681911
Boston Bruins
Bruins need more from first line in Game 5
Posted by Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff June 21, 2013 06:01 PM
CHICAGO – The Bruins arrived in Chicago late Friday afternoon following
their morning practice at TD Garden.
Tomorrow in Game 5, they would like to submit a better start. The
Blackhawks have been the sharper team in three of the four games of the
Stanley Cup Final. The only exception was Game 3, when the Bruins
claimed a 2-0 win.
To that end, the Bruins would like some more production from their first line.
Milan Lucic scored in Game 4. But Lucic, David Krejci, and Nathan Horton
haven’t shown the offensive-zone presence they demonstrated earlier.
They’ve taken most of their shifts against Chicago’s defensive pairing of
Johnny Oduya and Niklas Hjalmarsson.
“They’re a line that’s very proud of what they’ve accomplished in these
playoffs so far,” said Bruins coach Claude Julien. “They’d like to finish on a
good note. So if we can get a little bit more out of those guys, I think it
would be a bonus for us.”
On the other end, the Bruins will have to be better against Chicago’s new
No. 1 line of Bryan Bickell, Jonathan Toews, and Patrick Kane. The three
were reunited in Game 4. They were apart for the first three games after
helping to close out Los Angeles in the Western Conference finals. Toews
and Kane scored their first goals of the series in Game 4.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681912
Boston Bruins
Marian Hossa doesn't practice, but Blackhawks say he'll be ready for Game
5
Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff June 21, 2013 02:21 PM
CHICAGO -- Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa was absent from practice
at the United Center Friday morning, but coach Joel Quenneville said he'll
be good to go for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final Saturday night.
"Yeah, Hossa is fine," said Quenneville. "We expect him to be the same.
One thing about Hossa, production offensively or responsibility defensively,
complementing our team game in all facets of our game is what we look for.
The consistency of what he brings day in and day out is what makes him a
special player and a valuable addition to our team.
"I think in all areas we're going to be leaning on him,'' said Quenneville, who
indicated that Hossa could see more time on the penalty kill. "No matter
where we put him, you know he's going to get the job done. I would expect
him to be feeling a lot more comfortable going into tomorrow's game."
Jamal Mayers skated in Hossa's place at practice Friday.
Hossa, who is tied for second on the Blackhawks and tied for fifth overall in
playoff scoring (7 goals, 9 assists) missed Game 3 of the series, a 2-0
Bruins win, with what the Blackhawks confirmed was an upper-body injury.
He was back in the lineup for Wednesday's Game 4, a 6-5 Blackhawks
victory at TD Garden.
"I liked his contribution last game,'' said Quenneville. "Defensively, you
know Hossa is always going to be in the right spot and not give up anything
on that end of it.
"We're very happy to use him, whatever number you want to say
percentage that he's ready at. Everybody has different limitations but
everybody gives it their all."
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681913
Boston Bruins
Sharp hears it from teammates after slip
WEAK GLOVE? Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford isn't sure what he can
do to protect his glove side.
For that matter, he's not sure he even wants to do anything about it.
All five of Boston's goals were to his glove side in Game 4, and while
Crawford planned to look at the video, he doesn't want to overcompensate.
Friday, June 21, 2013
Author(s):
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Yes, Patrick Sharp is getting a bit of grief from his teammates
after he tumbled to the ice while celebrating a rare power-play goal for the
Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals.
It's OK. Sharp is having too much fun to care.
"I know I enjoy playing in games that mean a lot," said Sharp, who leads the
NHL with 10 playoff goals. "I enjoy the big stage. I think we have a lot of
players in this room that do that and that's the reason why we keep getting
back here."
Sharp has been a key playoff performer for Chicago once again after he
missed 14 games during the regular season with a shoulder injury. The
talented wing had 11 goals and 11 assists in the postseason when the
Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010.
He has six assists this year, making him a contender for the Conn Smythe
Trophy for playoff MVP.
"The last few games, he seems like he's getting the puck a lot more and
getting opportunities around the net," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville
said.
Sharp's third-period rebound score gave the Blackhawks a 5-4 lead at
Boston on Wednesday night. They went on to 6-5 overtime victory against
the Bruins, tying the series at two games apiece heading into Game 5 on
Saturday night.
Sharp pumped his right arm after his 33rd career playoff goal, and then fell
down near the boards.
"It's a little embarrassing, not proud about it," Sharp said after practice on
Friday. "I was excited. It was a big goal. I thought it might have been the
difference in the game, so I was just showing my excitement. Probably
could have been on the trainers to sharpen my skates a little bit better,
though."
Patrick Kane was standing nearby when Sharp went down.
"I probably should have grabbed him when I was close to him in the
corner," Kane said. "But I know when someone messes up one of my
celebrations, I tend to get mad so I let him go. Now, he's saying I should
have grabbed him. It was pretty funny, especially at the end."
___
"We see they're shooting on the side a lot more, but for me, nothing
changes," he said. "I can't cheat to that side ... because it's just going to get
me in trouble. Last series it was the blocker side, so it's just something
they're shooting a lot more and I'm just going to keep playing my game."
Meanwhile, Julien insisted the Bruins weren't targeting his glove, that they
were just taking advantage of their openings.
"We happened to shoot there because that's where the opening was at that
time," he said. "But I think you can score on other areas, hopefully, on
Corey Crawford, than just the glove. It's just one of those games where a lot
of them went in on that side."
The five goals allowed matched a season-high for Crawford, who has
otherwise been terrific in the postseason.
He still has a .931 save percentage and 1.86 goals-against average in the
playoffs. And coach Joel Quenneville insisted this week he's not
considering a switch to Ray Emery.
"I didn't play the puck as well as I would have liked to . just the little things,"
Crawford said. "We'll look at it, we'll look at the video. It was a game where
it was a battle and you just had to battle through it, and our guys did an
awesome job."
___
COMEBACK KIDS: The Bruins are never out of the game.
They trailed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 with less than 11 minutes left in
the third period of Game 7 in the first round and came back for a 5-4
overtime victory.
They trailed 1-0, 3-1, 4-2 and 5-4 in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals
against Chicago, and took the Blackhawks to overtime before losing 6-5 on
Brent Seabrook's score.
Julien said the team remains fairly calm no matter what kind of situation it's
facing.
"Panic isn't something that our team does," he said.
___
HOSSA RESTS: Quenneville said not to read too much into Marian Hossa
sitting out practice on Friday.
"We did that at the morning skate the other day, Hossa's fine," he said.
Hossa was a late scratch from Game 3 because of an upper body injury. He
returned for Game 4 and assisted on Patrick Sharp's goal in the third period
to give the Blackhawks a 5-4 lead. Chicago went on to win in overtime.
POWER PLAY: It's been all Boston so far when it comes to special teams.
Even though Hossa's dealing with an injury, Quenneville insisted he can still
be a big contributor.
The Bruins have scored four power-play goals in 14 opportunities over the
first four games of the Stanley Cup finals, compared to just one in 15
chances for the Blackhawks.
"All areas, we're going to be leaning on him," Quenneville said. "No matter
where we put him, we know he's going to get the job done. I would expect
him to be feeling a lot more comfortable going into (Saturday's) game."
Boston began the series with seven postseason goals with the man
advantage.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
"I think we've added some new personnel in there, and we're moving the
puck well," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "Right now we're playing with a
lot of confidence on the power play. It's like anything else, confidence is a
big part of the game, and when you start feeling it, you try and hold onto it
as long as you can."
Chicago's penalty-killing unit was having a terrific postseason, allowing just
three goals in 58 power-play chances coming into the finals. But Boston has
three power-play goals in the last two games alone.
"They've got some guys with patience with the puck and they've got some
guys that can make plays and they've got some big shooters, so that's
always an ongoing challenge," Quenneville said.
___
681914
Boston Bruins
Soderberg practices with B’s fourth line
Friday, June 21, 2013
Author(s):
Mark Daniels
During today’s morning skate, Bruins coach Claude Julien tinkered with his
fourth line, inserting Carl Soderberg in place of Kaspars Daugavins.
Soderberg last played in the B’s regular-season finale on April 28, against
the Ottawa Senators. Today, he wore the merlot-colored jersey and skated
with Rich Peverley and Shawn Thornton.
“Just trying something else here. Again, I’ll make that decision tomorrow,”
Julien said. “Just get a different look on what they would look like.”
When Gregory Campbell broke his leg in Game 3 of the Eastern
Conference finals against Pittsburgh, Daugavins initially took his place in
the lineup but the results have been mediocre. In six games this
postseason, he’s taken two shots on net and has a minus-2 rating.
Soderberg joined the Bruins late in the regular season. He played in six
games, tallied two assists and finished with a minus-2. Today, he described
himself as a big guy that protects the puck and said he’s enjoyed his time in
Boston and feels that he’s ready to help the team.
“I worked on that line today but I haven’t talked to coach yet so I don’t know
what’s happening tomorrow,” Soderberg said. “I’ve been here for 11 weeks
now. I’m getting to know the system a lot. I haven’t played games in a while
but if I’m playing tomorrow I think it’ll go well. I know everything.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681915
Boston Bruins
High-scoring Game 4 flips script on Stanley Cup
Friday, June 21, 2013
Author(s):
Associated Press
CHICAGO — Finding room to roam in the first three games of the Stanley
Cup finals was next to impossible, and scoring goals was even more
difficult.
Not so much in Game 4, raising all sorts of questions about the rest of the
deadlocked series.
Chicago's 6-5 overtime victory at Boston on Wednesday night was the
highest-scoring game in this year's NHL playoffs. There were breakaways,
rebounds, long slap shots and tips. Eleven goals in all, coming from all over
the ice.
When it was over, the Blackhawks and Bruins were tied at two games
apiece heading into Game 5 on Saturday night.
"I guess a series like this can take some unexpected turns sometimes, and
you saw that last night," Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said
Thursday. "I'm not going to make any predictions for what happens in the
next game, but obviously there's a lot of things we want to carry into this
game, Game 5, here."
The biggest variable could be the recovery of goalies Tuukka Rask of the
Bruins and Corey Crawford of the Blackhawks, who have a couple days to
find their game again before the series resumes in Chicago.
Rask and Crawford had been the best two goalies in the playoffs before
each of them stumbled under heavy pressure in Game 4. Rask gave up too
many prime rebound opportunities, and Crawford was beaten repeatedly on
his glove side.
"Every goal is stoppable, but I don't think there was any weak one, so to
speak," said Rask, who was coming off a 2-0 shutout and had allowed just
eight goals in the previous eight playoff games. "Mistakes piled up and I
wasn't able to bail our guys out. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't."
Crawford was great in each of the first two finals games in Chicago. He had
51 saves in the three-overtime series opener, keeping the Blackhawks in
the game long enough for Andrew Shaw to score the winning goal in a 4-3
victory.
Crawford had 33 stops when the series shifted to Boston for Game 3, but
Chicago was unable to get anything going against Rask. And then came
more of the glove-side problems on Wednesday night that the Bruins have
exploited all series long.
"A couple tough breaks last night, especially when we had the lead at 3-1 or
4-2, Boston is going to open up a little bit," Blackhawks forward Patrick
Kane said Thursday. "I think for us that we can play better defensively,
maybe get in some shooting lanes and block some of those shots."
Chicago held leads of 1-0, 3-1, 4-2 and 5-4, but Boston rallied each time.
The glove-side issue is a tricky little one for coach Joel Quenneville and the
Blackhawks, who know that's where the Bruins are trying to go, but don't
want Crawford to focus so much on that area that it gets into his head.
"We're very comfortable with Corey," Quenneville said, dismissing the idea
of inserting backup Ray Emery. "Corey has been rock solid all year for us,
and when he's got the ball, he's been outstanding, and he's the biggest
reason why we're here today."
Rask was working on a shutout streak of 129 minutes, 14 seconds when
Michal Handzus had a beautiful sliding score in the first period Wednesday
night off a nice pass from Brandon Saad on a fast break.
It was a sign of things to come for the Bruins, who had sustained trouble
with the Blackhawks' speed for the first time in the series.
Marcus Kruger completed a 2-on-1 break in the second period with his third
goal of the playoffs. Kruger and Michael Frolik got down the ice so quickly
that there was time for Kruger to poke home his own rebound after Rask
stopped his first attempt.
"I thought we gave them a lot of space," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "It
doesn't mean they don't have a pace to their game, but it means we gave
them too many options. And the neutral zone for me, not just on the
forecheck but even our neutral zone on the counter, wasn't very good."
Zdeno Chara, Boston's 6-foot-9 defenseman, was back during the rush by
Kruger and Frolik but was unable to break it up. The 2009 Norris Trophy
winner was on the ice for five of Chicago's six goals, with the Blackhawks
using their speed to make life difficult on the captain of the Bruins.
"I think he was OK," Julien said. "There's no doubt they went after him and
he was OK, because our whole team was OK. I don't think anybody on our
team can stand up today and say I thought I had a great game, and that's
why we're sitting here today tied 2-all."
The move by Quenneville to put Toews and Kane back together on a line
with Bryan Bickell also played a role in the rough night for Chara and Rask.
Toews had a tip-in for his first goal since May 25 against Detroit, snapping a
10-game drought. Kane had a nifty rebound score for his first goal of the
series.
The productive night for that line — Bickell had two assists and was
credited with six hits — could lead to some adjustments for Boston in the
pivotal Game 5.
"I think you want to learn from every game, regardless of if you win or lose,"
said Bruins center Chris Kelly, who failed to convert a prime scoring
opportunity on Wednesday night. "Like winning, you want to put the game
behind you. It's in the past, there's nothing you can do about it. Look to the
next one."
Jay Cohen
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681916
Boston Bruins
Buckley: Tuukka Rask ultimate straight shooter
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Author(s):
Steve Buckley
He’s Finnish, underaged and probably doesn’t understand the crazy caroms
and funny bounces of Massachusetts politics, but Tuukka Rask would make
an interesting candidate for United States senate.
This in no way is meant to disrespect Ed Markey or Gabriel Gomez, but the
26-year-old Bruins goaltender has a way of cutting directly to the heart of
things with good, old-fashioned Original Six candor.
And by candor, I guess some people could take a goofy leap and call it
“throwing his teammates under the bus.” Such as during the aftermath of
Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals, a triple-overtime 4-3 loss to the Chicago
Blackhawks, when Rask said, “We had the game. We were up 3-1 in the
third. A terrible turnover leads to the second goal and then a puck bounce
leads to the tying goal and then we just gave it away. We’ve got to be better
than that.”
Or, in the aftermath of Wednesday’s Game 4 fireworks display at the
Garden, in which the Blackhawks emerged with a 6-5 overtime victory, thus
squaring this epic series at two wins apiece, when Rask admitted that, “You
let in six goals as a goalie, you can’t be satisfied,” but then quickly added,
“But as a team I thought it wasn’t our best defensive game.”
But there is nothing whiny or pouty about Rask’s delivery. There are no rolls
of the eyes, no fingers being pointed to this or that corner of the dressing
room. And best of all, he says what he says in front of a throng of reporters,
rather than pursue the tried and true course of some athletes, which means
pulling a media trusty aside and whispering anonymous bombast that
usually lands in the next day’s paper attributed to “said one player.”
The writers who regularly cover the Bruins say Rask is more than willing to
blame himself for softies, bad rebounds and other goaltending miscues.
When it’s on him, he says so, and with the same matter-of-factness that has
become the style of his postgame oratory. And at a time when it seems
everyone wants to compare the 2013 Tuukka Rask with the 2011 Tim
Thomas, there’s one big difference right there: Thomas was never much for
saying, “My bad on that one.”
Rask enjoys a reputation as a popular player — with teammates, media and
certainly with a hugely respectful and thankful Bruins Nation. And, anyway,
Rask’s words tend to look a little darker in print than when actually spoken.
It also should be noted that whatever he says is usually in response to a
question; he doesn’t take any puzzling detours in order to get something off
his chest that has nothing to do with what’s being asked.
The only sadness here is that in some respects Tuukka Rask represents a
dying breed in professional sports. In an age of media handlers, posses and
carefully crafted press availabilities, athletes are less likely to just . . . talk . . .
as they once did.
It doesn’t help any that a growing number of sportswriters, veterans among
them, hard-pressed to bring any specificity to their questions, often
approach athletes and coaches and invite them to “talk about (fill in specific
moment of game here).” Former Red Sox manager Terry Francona, for
one, always hated that approach and would often respond with, “Could
somebody just ask me a question?”
So if you ask Rask a question, he’ll answer it. And when he does so, it’s as
though he’s wiping away the blackboard and cleaning things up for the next
game. And here we are: The Bruins and Blackhawks are set to face off
tonight at the United Center in a Game 5 that will not, as Bruins fans had
hoped, be a potential clincher. It will not be until Game 6 on Monday night
at the Garden, at which point one of these two teams will be on the cusp of
claiming a championship. The Stanley Cup will be downstairs and out of
view, waiting for its cue to take the stage.
Every championship series in every sport has its truckload of subplots.
Some of them are remembered forever — such as Joe Namath’s guarantee
of a Jets victory in Super Bowl III, or Babe Ruth’s mythic called shot off
Cubs pitcher Charlie Root in the 1932 World Series.
We don’t have anything like that so far, though it’s kind of cool that among
the many subplots to these 2013 Stanley Cup finals is candor. Blackhawks
goalie Corey Crawford has been up front about his own foibles,
commenting on all those glove-side goals the Bruins scored in Game 4, “It
was a battle, to say the least. Those games are going to happen once in a
while . . . it was just one of those games where you just kind of have to stick
with it, brush it off and get ready for the next one.”
And let’s not forget his teammate Jonathan Toews’ comments earlier this
week on playing against Zdeno Chara. “I mean, there’s certain ways you
can expose him. . . . We can outwork him, and we did that, and we want to
continue that.”
When it’s over, maybe we can set up Rask and Crawford for a debate, to be
televised on the NHL Network, with our own Kathryn Tappen as moderator.
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681917
Boston Bruins
Location: High stick side
Goal 2: Daniel Paille at 13:48 of overtime
Net gains: Chronicling where the goals are going
Score: Bruins, 2-1
Location: High glove side off post
Saturday, June 22, 2013
GAME 3:
Author(s):
Bruins 2, Blackhawks 0 at TD Garden
herald.staff
TUUKKA RASK
No goals allowed.
After the Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime win in Game 4 on Wednesday, there
was a lot of attention focused on the type of goals that were scored on
Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. Every goal that the Bruins scored that night
went glove side. If you look at the goals scored on both Crawford during
these Stanley Cup finals, you’ll see it wasn’t a coincidence. The Bruins
have scored 10 of 12 goals on Crawford’s glove side in the first four games.
COREY CRAWFORD
Here’s a look at where both teams have found holes to light the lamp.
Goal 2: Patrice Bergeron at 14:05 of the second period
GAME 1:
Score: Bruins, 2-0
Blackhawks 4, Bruins 3 (3 OT) at United Center
Location: Stick side, off the post
TUUKKA RASK
GAME 4:
Goal 1: Brandon Saad at 3:08 of the second period
Blackhawks 6, Bruins 5 (OT) at TD Garden
Score: Bruins, 2-1
TUUKKA RASK
Location: High glove side
Goal 1: Michal Handzus at 6:48 of the first period
Goal 2: Dave Bolland at 8:00 of the third period
Score: Blackhawks, 1-0
Score: Bruins, 3-2
Location: Stick side, off the middle of the post
Location: Low stick side
Goal 2: Jonathan Toews at 6:33 of the second period
Goal 3: Johnny Oduya at 12:14 of the third period
Score: Blackhawks, 2-1
Score: 3-3
Location: Glove side, under Rask’s outstretched left leg
Location: Low glove side, off Andrew Ference’s skate
Goal 3: Patrick Kane at 8:41 of the second period
Goal 4: Andrew Shaw at 12:08 of third overtime
Score: Blackhawks, 3-1
Score: Blackhawks, 4-3
Location: Over a diving Rask, on the right side (technically stick side)
Location: Mid glove side, off Shaw’s shin pad
Goal 4: Marcus Kruger at 15:32 of the second period
COREY CRAWFORD
Score: Blackhawks, 4-2
Goal 1: Milan Lucic at 13:11 of the first period
Location: Low left side, just beyond Rask’s skates (technically glove side)
Score: Bruins, 1-0
Goal 5: Patrick Sharp at 11:19 of the third period
Location: Low glove side
Score: Blackhawks, 5-4
Goal 2: Milan Lucic at :51 of the second period
Location: Low stick side (Rask dove but the puck flew over his stick)
Score: Bruins, 2-0
Goal 6: Brent Seabrook at 9:51 of overtime
Location: High glove side
Score: Blackhawks, 6-5
Goal 3: Patrice Bergeron at 6:09 of the third period
Location: High stick side
Score: Bruins, 3-1
COREY CRAWFORD
Location: High glove side, off the post
Goal 1: Rich Peverley at 14:43 of the first period
GAME 2:
Score: 1-1
Bruins 2, Blackhawks 1 (OT) at United Center
Location: High glove side
TUUKKA RASK
Goal 2: Milan Lucic at 14:43 of the second period
Goal 1: Patrick Sharp at 11:22 of the first period
Score: Blackhawks, 3-2
Score: Blackhawks, 1-0
Location: High glove side
Location: High glove side
Goal 3: Patrice Bergeron at 17:22 of the second period
COREY CRAWFORD
Score: Blackhawks, 4-3
Goal 1: Chris Kelly at 14:58 of the second period
Location: High glove side
Score: 1-1
Goal 4: Patrice Bergeron at 2:05 of the third period
Goal 1: Daniel Paille at 2:13 of the second period
Score: Bruins, 1-0
Location: High glove side
Score: 4-4
Location: Low glove side
Goal 5: Johnny Boychuk at 12:14 of the third period
Score: 5-5
Location: High glove side
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681918
Boston Bruins
Notebook: Milan Lucic may put on an act
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Author(s):
Steve Conroy
CHICAGO — Milan Lucic has often been compared to Cam Neely, but how
would the Bruins winger stand up against the Hall of Famer as an actor?
We may find out.
Lucic recently was talking to director Bobby Farrelly, who was at the helm
with his brother Peter Farrelly for the comedy classic “Dumb and Dumber,”
and he offered his services to play the son of Seabass in a sequel that’s
coming together. Seabass was the tough-guy character played by Neely in
the first movie.
Lucic said yesterday he was a big fan of the original.
“Of course, I think everyone has always been a big fan of that movie,” said
Lucic with a chuckle yesterday. “It was just something that I was joking
around about with Bobby Farrelly. If it happens, great. If it doesn’t, that’s
great, too. I’m just happy to see a sequel’s finally coming out.”
Bobby Farrelly let the cat out of the bag speaking with NHL.com this week.
“We had a guy come up to us this year,” said Farrelly. “He said, ‘Listen, I
heard you’re going to do a sequel to “Dumb & Dumber.” I want to be son of
Seabass.’ That was Milan Lucic. I looked at him and thought, ‘You know
what? That’s not a bad idea because he looks a lot like Cam, plays a lot like
Cam.’ I’ve got to convince my brother. We need to figure out a way to make
it work.”
Line ‘em up
Though Lucic has three goals in the first four games of this series, he
believes his line with David Krejci and Nathan Horton can produce more.
In recent games they haven’t been as dominant as at other times in these
playoffs. Krejci has three assists, two in Game 1, and Horton, who’s been
wearing a harness to stabilize his injured left shoulder, has two assists.
“It’s tough to say,” said Lucic when asked about the adjustments the
Blackhawks have made. “They’ve been playing us tight from Game 1.
They’ve been keeping a good gap and as you can tell, they definitely try to
take away your space in all three zones.
“I think we definitely have to be better as a line and find a way to break
through any kind of adjustments they’ve made.”
Coach Claude Julien wasn’t too critical of the line, considering what it’s
provided this postseason.
“Well, they’ve been pretty good throughout the whole playoffs, and I
certainly wouldn’t be the guy to complain about their performance so far,”
he said. “They’ve been pretty good. But at one point you get to the finals
and everybody wants to give a little bit more.
“I think they’re no different. They’re a line that’s very proud of what they’ve
accomplished in these playoffs so far and would like to finish on a good
note. If we can get a little bit more from those guys, it would be a bonus.”
Power’s on
The B’s are 4-for-14 on the power play against the Blackhawks’ penalty kill,
which came into the series at a 94.8 percent rate.
“We’ve added some new personnel in there, and we’re moving the puck
well,” said Julien. “Right now we’re playing with a lot of confidence on the
power play. It’s like anything else, confidence is a big part of the game, and
when you start feeling it, you try and hold onto it as long as you can. Right
now I think our guys are feeling it and feel confident about how we’re
handling the puck and moving it around.
“I think we’re making some good decisions on the power play and it
certainly has gotten better. For all the struggles we had with it, what better
time than now to be pretty decent on it.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681919
Boston Bruins
Players thrilled by sendoff from fans
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Author(s):
Mark Daniels
Bruins fans gave their team a proper sendoff yesterday on its way to
Chicago.
Just outside the Garden, in the player parking lot along Causeway Street,
fans lined up behind barriers surrounding two yellow buses. Dressed in
Bruins gear, they held signs with messages such as “Let’s go Bruins” and
“Beat the ’Hawks.”
As the B’s filed out of the arena, the cheers grew louder overshadowing the
music in the background. Some fans waved yellow towels and others
jockeyed for autographs.
Tuukka Rask was the first player out as fans from all over came to wish the
Bruins good luck in tonight’s Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals against the
Blackhawks at Chicago’s United Center.
“It’s great,” Rask said. “We’ve got great fans here in Boston. They’ve done
this many times and a lot of people show up all the time, so it’s really good
to see.”
This is the second fan-fest team sendoff for the Bruins. The first time was
last week before the Bruins flew to Chicago for Game 1. Rachel Iacomini of
Somerville went to both sendoffs because, she said, events like these make
fans feel like they’re a part of the team.
“I went to the other one and you can tell that they’re a very grateful team,”
Iacomini said. “They’re happy to see the fans. They really try and give
everyone a high-five. It’s nice to like feel like you’re a part of it.”
Chris and Amanda Atkins, along with their 2-year-old son, Peyton, came
from Kansas City, Mo., to wish the Bruins well.
“I have family in Mass., so we made sure we booked the vacation this year
around the Stanley Cup playoffs,” Chris Atkins said. “It’s just a good
experience. With everything the city’s gone through and to see the turnout
you get with numbers like this, it’s good. It lets you know it’s still alive, still
strong and still kicking.”
Players shook hands and signed autographs before boarding their buses.
“It’s nice to see that we have a lot of fan support here,” defenseman Johnny
Boychuk said. “It just gives us a little extra boost.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681920
Boston Bruins
Carl Soderberg warming up
Saturday, June 22, 2013
By:Matt Kalman
Bruins coach Claude Julien rarely tips his hand about lineup changes.
But judging by yesterday’s practice at TD Garden, Julien’s search for a
productive combination on his fourth line might lead him to free the Swede
for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals tonight at United Center.
Carl Soderberg, who’s been a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs,
practiced on left wing next to center Rich Peverley and Shawn Thornton on
a line that has been in flux since Gregory Campbell’s season ended with a
broken leg in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against Pittsburgh.
Soderberg believes he’s ready to contribute.
“I’ve been practicing for a long time now, so I feel ready,” he said before
boarding the team bus in front of a throng of fans outside the Garden
yesterday. “But I’m a big guy and can protect the puck, and maybe I can get
it deep and go from there, hopefully.”
Campbell’s injury forced Julien to juggle his bottom six forwards. During
Game 2 of the Cup finals, Tyler Seguin, Chris Kelly and Daniel Paille
meshed into a productive trio that has stayed together and played well.
That’s left Kaspars Daugavins, Peverley and Thornton to find some
chemistry on a fourth line.
Daugavins wore a green jersey along with the other perennially scratched
forwards yesterday, while Soderberg wore merlot, the color of the fourth
liners.
“Just trying something else here,” Julien said. “Again, I’ll make that decision
tomorrow. But just get a different look at what that would look like, that’s
all.”
Maybe Julien really intends to play Soderberg or maybe he was just trying
to get Daugavins’ attention. The Latvian struggled in limited minutes. He
took a needless penalty in the neutral zone in Game 3 and put himself
offsides on a couple of rushes. In Game 1, he missed a wide-open scoring
chance in overtime in a game the Bruins eventually lost.
Julien has basically made the Bruins into a 10-forward team. Daugavins
and Thornton have averaged just six minutes a game. If Soderberg gets the
call, Julien might play him more. The 27-year-old might also have to adapt
his game to a lesser role after leading the Swedish Elite League in goals
(31) and finishing second in points (60) this season.
“I think I have a lot of experience from before,” he said. “I’ve played hockey
for 10 years, so I know the game. But if I play tomorrow, I have to keep it
simple. Just get the puck out and get the puck in, and that’ll work for me.”
The Bruins traded for Soderberg in 2007 and waited until this spring for him
to leave his native land. After joining the team in early April he skated in six
games and recorded two assists with a minus-2 rating. He averaged 14:33
of ice time. His last game was April 28.
Two years ago, forward Tyler Seguin was a healthy scratch in the
postseason, but produced when called upon. He’s seen positive things from
his teammate.
“Yeah, I mean, you see at practice he’s got a lot of skill and he definitely
works hard,” Seguin said.
Despite not playing, Soderberg has taken the pregame warmup throughout
the postseason to get acclimated to the sport’s biggest stage. That could
reduce the risk of Soderberg feeling overwhelmed if he’s in the lineup
against the Blackhawks tonight or later in the series.
“That helped me a lot to be here and to be practicing with the team and
getting into warmups. So you get a little game feeling,” Soderberg said.
“You don’t play but still you’re there. So I like the atmosphere and like I
said, it would be amazing to play (tonight), but I don’t know.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681921
Boston Bruins
B’s ignore smack talk
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Author(s):
Steve Conroy
CHICAGO — Compared to the Bruins’ Stanley Cup finals series against the
Vancouver Canucks two years ago, this matchup against the Chicago
Blackhawks has been reasonably respectful.
But immediately after the Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory over the B’s in
Game 4 at the Garden, Chicago captain Jonathan Toews was feeling his
oats a bit. He had just scored his first goal of the series and his newly
reunited line with Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell was highly effective
against the B’s top defense pair. So Toews decided to take a shot at Bruins
captain Zdeno Chara, who was a very uncharacteristic minus-3 and on the
ice for five goals.
While prefacing his remarks by saying Chara’s a great player, he made a
point of saying that he’s not unbeatable, either.
“There’s certain ways you can expose him,” said Toews.” I think the dumpins that we made tonight were going to his side. We made sure we were
out-numbering him everywhere we went, taking away his stick first thing.
“We just try not to be intimidated by his size. You have to get to the net, find
a way inside, not be, like I said, intimidated by that. We can outwork him,
and we did that tonight, and we want to continue that.”
Lest anyone think Toews let some bulletin board material out accidentally,
he pretty much reiterated what he said the following day in Chicago.
And Bickell continued the we’re-not-afraid-of-the-big-bad-wolf tone in giving
his assessment of Chara on Thursday.
“He doesn’t like getting hit,” said Bickell.
When Milan Lucic was apprised of the comment after the B’s arrived here
yesterday on the eve of tonight’s huge Game 5, he broke into a wide grin.
“Honestly, I don’t know where they’d get that scouting report from because
he definitely doesn’t mind the physical play at all,” said Lucic.
Lucic doesn’t buy the notion that the ’Hawks are wearing the B’s captain
down.
“Playing with him for six years now, he’s not a guy that I’ve seen gets worn
down so the two days between games I know he’s gotten his rest and he’s
going to bring it (tonight),” said Lucic.
Lucic said he can’t recall a time Chara’s been on the ice for five goals
against and, though the captain certainly wasn’t responsible for all five
goals, he doesn’t expect it to happen again.
“He’s got that type of attitude where he wants to be better and he’s going to
be better. He’s our captain and I’m sure he’s going to lead the way for us
(tonight),” said Lucic.
“He always has come out and responded the next game. He’s our captain
and he takes a lot of pride in doing what he does. Actually, out of all the
guys I’ve played with, I don’t think that there is a guy that takes more pride
in himself and how he approaches the game on and off the ice and how he
takes care of himself. I know he’s going to be ready come (tonight).”
When told about the Blackhawks’ talk about them being able to withstand
the B’s physicality, defenseman Andrew Ference said those words won’t be
a motivating factor tonight.
“The Stanley Cup motivates you, not people’s comments,” said Ference.
“You expect them to be able to take it. We’re all hockey players and we’re
all playing hockey. Guys are pretty tough. It’s not that we ever expect teams
not to be able to take the physical style of play, but we’re still going to play
physical.”
Ference does expect a good game from Chara, simply because of who he
is.
“Without a doubt. You expect big things out of him always, regardless. And
just because you’re on the ice, it’s not your fault. We’ve all seen enough
games to know that,” said Ference.
“He has a lot of pride, but he also wants to win the Cup and that’s going to
trump any other feeling of pride or anything else. The desire to win is going
to outweigh anything.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 06.22.2013
681922
Buffalo Sabres
Ruff pushes history aside, becomes new Stars coach
Lost to Dallas in Cup final with Sabres in ’99
BY: John Vogl
Published: June 21, 2013, 06:15 PM
Updated: June 21, 2013, 06:26 PM
When Dallas General Manager Jim Nill began interviews for the Stars’
vacant coaching job, the first call went to Lindy Ruff.
“I said to Jim when I first agreed to meet with him, ‘I’ll meet with you, but we
can’t meet in the crease,’” Ruff said Friday.
The history between Ruff and the team that earned a controversial Stanley
Cup victory over him in 1999 is unavoidable. Ruff also can’t hide his
passion to coach. The present took precedence over the past as Ruff has
agreed to become the Stars’ bench boss, signing a four-year deal.
Though he didn’t go as far as to say Brett Hull really did score despite
having his foot in the crease against the Buffalo Sabres, Ruff is ready to put
the “No Goal” saga behind him.
“I’ve gotten past that,” Ruff said at his introductory news conference in
Dallas. “I’m a coach. I want to coach. I think this is an unbelievable
opportunity. It all worked out great for Dallas, didn’t work out so good for us
back then.
“I can tell you one thing: That same emotion and same passion will be back
here in Dallas if the same type of thing happens because that’s the fire I
have and that’s what you’re going to look forward to. I was young at the
time, emotional. I let it all hang out. I still have a lot of emotion when it
comes to coaching.”
The passion is what convinced Nill to make the hire.
“I could see the fire in his eyes,” the GM said. “He’s ready to go. That’s
what really excited me when I talked to him.”
Ruff, 53, knows there will be a transition period after spending half his life in
Buffalo, including 16 years behind the bench. But he’s been thinking about
it since getting fired in February, and he’s prepared to move on from
Sabreland.
“When you coach for that number of years and in the same place, the
exciting part for me is in talking to a lot of other coaches – from former
coaches here to coaches that have gone from organization to organization
– how it revitalized them, energized them,” Ruff said. “I’m excited about the
personnel that I’m working with. I’m excited about the ownership. I’m
excited about working with Jim and all the experiences he had working in
Detroit. It was just a real good fit.”
The type of game played in the Western Conference differs from the East,
so Ruff plans to watch tapes of Western games during the next few months
to help him create a system that’ll work. He thinks it can with a club that has
missed five straight postseasons.
“I’m really excited and really looking forward to helping this club with their
resurgence,” Ruff said. “I think we’ve got a good, young, talented team that
I’m really looking forward to working with and helping them get back in the
playoffs and win a Stanley Cup.”
Buffalo News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681923
Buffalo Sabres
Ruff shows his wit, passion to coach in accepting job with Stars
June 21, 2013 - 2:25 PM
By John Vogl
When Dallas General Manager Jim Nill began interviews for the Stars’
vacant coaching job, the first call went to Lindy Ruff.
“I said to Jim when I first agreed to meet with him, ‘I’ll meet with you, but we
can’t meet in the crease,’” Ruff said Friday.
The history between Ruff and the team that earned a controversial Stanley
Cup victory over him in 1999 is unavoidable. Ruff also can’t hide his
passion to coach. The present took precedence over the past as Ruff has
agreed to become the Stars’ bench boss.
Though he didn’t go as far as to say Brett Hull really did score despite
having his foot in the crease against the Buffalo Sabres, Ruff is ready to put
the “No Goal” saga behind him.
“I’ve gotten past that,” Ruff said at his introductory news conference in
Dallas. “I’m a coach. I want to coach. I think this is an unbelievable
opportunity. It all worked out great for Dallas, didn’t work out so good for us
back then.
“I can tell you one thing: That same emotion and same passion will be back
here in Dallas if the same type of thing happens because that’s the fire I
have and that’s what you’re going to look forward to. I was young at the
time, emotional. I let it all hang out. I still have a lot of emotion when it
comes to coaching.”
The passion is what convinced Nill to make the hire.
“I could see the fire in his eyes,” the GM said. “He’s ready to go. That’s
what really excited me when I talked to him.”
Ruff knows there will be a transition period after spending half his life in
Buffalo, including 16 years behind the bench. But he’s been thinking about
it since getting fired in February, and he’s prepared to move on from
Sabreland.
“When you coach for that number of years and in the same place, the
exciting part for me is in talking to a lot of other coaches – from former
coaches here to coaches that have gone from organization to organization
– how it revitalized them, energized them,” Ruff said. “I’m excited about the
personnel here that I’m working with. I’m excited about the ownership. I’m
excited about working with Jim and all the experiences he had working in
Detroit. It was just a real good fit.”
The type of game played in the Western Conference differs from the East,
so Ruff plans to watch tapes of Western games during the next few months
to help him create a system that’ll work. He thinks it can with a club that has
missed five straight postseasons.
“I’m really excited and really looking forward to helping this club with their
resurgence,” Ruff said. "I think we’ve got a good, young, talented team that
I’m really looking forward to working with and helping them get back in the
playoffs and win a Stanley Cup."
Buffalo News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681924
Buffalo Sabres
It's official: Stars hire Lindy Ruff as coach
June 21, 2013 - 9:51 AM
By John Vogl
One of the Sabres' exes lives in Texas.
The Dallas Stars have officially named Lindy Ruff as their next head coach,
following up on statements made Thursday by President Jim Lites that a
deal was imminent. The Stars and General Manager Jim Nill will introduce
Ruff at a 1 p.m. news conference.
“I am honored to be joining the Dallas Stars organization,” Ruff said in a
statement released this morning. “After speaking at length with Jim Nill, it
was clear that all the right pieces are coming together to return this club to
the upper-echelon of the NHL. I look forward to leading its resurgence.”
Said Nill: “One of the trademarks of successful organizations is their ability
to have continuity and stability for an extended period of time. It is clear
from Lindy’s record, and from our own conversations, that we have found
the right person to provide that stability and lead this club to the next level.
His steady hand and experience will prove invaluable in returning our team
as a top-tier contender in the NHL.”
Buffalo News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681925
Buffalo Sabres
Ruff shows his wit, passion to coach in accepting job with Stars
June 21, 2013 - 2:25 PM
By John Vogl
When Dallas General Manager Jim Nill began interviews for the Stars’
vacant coaching job, the first call went to Lindy Ruff.
“I said to Jim when I first agreed to meet with him, ‘I’ll meet with you, but we
can’t meet in the crease,’” Ruff said Friday.
The history between Ruff and the team that earned a controversial Stanley
Cup victory over him in 1999 is unavoidable. Ruff also can’t hide his
passion to coach. The present took precedence over the past as Ruff has
agreed to become the Stars’ bench boss.
Though he didn’t go as far as to say Brett Hull really did score despite
having his foot in the crease against the Buffalo Sabres, Ruff is ready to put
the “No Goal” saga behind him.
“I’ve gotten past that,” Ruff said at his introductory news conference in
Dallas. “I’m a coach. I want to coach. I think this is an unbelievable
opportunity. It all worked out great for Dallas, didn’t work out so good for us
back then.
“I can tell you one thing: That same emotion and same passion will be back
here in Dallas if the same type of thing happens because that’s the fire I
have and that’s what you’re going to look forward to. I was young at the
time, emotional. I let it all hang out. I still have a lot of emotion when it
comes to coaching.”
The passion is what convinced Nill to make the hire.
“I could see the fire in his eyes,” the GM said. “He’s ready to go. That’s
what really excited me when I talked to him.”
Ruff knows there will be a transition period after spending half his life in
Buffalo, including 16 years behind the bench. But he’s been thinking about
it since getting fired in February, and he’s prepared to move on from
Sabreland.
“When you coach for that number of years and in the same place, the
exciting part for me is in talking to a lot of other coaches – from former
coaches here to coaches that have gone from organization to organization
– how it revitalized them, energized them,” Ruff said. “I’m excited about the
personnel here that I’m working with. I’m excited about the ownership. I’m
excited about working with Jim and all the experiences he had working in
Detroit. It was just a real good fit.”
The type of game played in the Western Conference differs from the East,
so Ruff plans to watch tapes of Western games during the next few months
to help him create a system that’ll work. He thinks it can with a club that has
missed five straight postseasons.
“I’m really excited and really looking forward to helping this club with their
resurgence,” Ruff said. "I think we’ve got a good, young, talented team that
I’m really looking forward to working with and helping them get back in the
playoffs and win a Stanley Cup."
Buffalo News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681926
Buffalo Sabres
Dallas Stars hire Lindy Ruff as head coach
Jun. 21, 2013 2:56 PM |
Written by
Stephen Hawkins
DALLAS Lindy Ruff is the new coach of the Dallas Stars, the team that
clinched their only Stanley Cup championship on a goal he has always
questioned.
Ruff was hired Friday by the Stars, 14 years after he joined thousands of
Buffalo fans in the chant of “No goal!” in the aftermath of Brett Hull’s Cupclinching shot late in the third overtime of Game 6 in the 1999 Stanley Cup
finals.
“It’s a long time ago,” Ruff said after being introduced. “I’ve had some great
memories. I’ve gotten past that. I’m a coach, I want to coach, and this is an
unbelievable opportunity.”
That was the Sabres’ only Stanley Cup appearance under Ruff, in his
second season as Buffalo’s coach.
While the Stars celebrated the title, Ruff questioned whether the goal
should have been allowed for Hull’s skate being in the goalie’s crease
before having control of the puck.
Ruff joked Friday that when he first agreed to meet with new Stars GM Jim
Nill about the job that his only stipulation was, “we can’t meet in the crease.”
It was 14 years ago Thursday that Game 6 ended in the early morning —
more than 15 minutes into the third overtime.
Ruff coached 15 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres before being fired in
February. He was the NHL’s longest active-serving coach with one team.
Ruff was the first significant hire for Nill, the longtime Detroit Red Wings
assistant GM who signed a five-year deal in April to replace the fired Joe
Nieuwendyk.
Nill said when he started the search, the attributes that he was looking for in
a coach included experience, credibility and knowledge.
“All these attributes were checked off,” Nill said.
Two weeks after Nill was hired, he decided not to renew the third-year
option for coach Glen Gulutzan.
The Stars missed the playoffs for the fifth season in a row, the longest
postseason drought in team history. They were 22-22-4 last season, last in
the Pacific Division.
Since Ruff still had two seasons left on his contract with Buffalo, the Stars
had to get permission from the Sabres to talk to the 53-year-old coach.
Ruff was the Sabres’ winningest coach (571-432-162), but was fired after
Buffalo got off to a 6-10-1 in this year’s NHL lockout-shortened season.
There had been 170 NHL coaching changes between his hiring in July 1997
and the time he was fired.
Under Ruff, the Sabres made the playoffs in each of his first four seasons
and eight times overall. They made the Eastern Conference finals in 2006
and 2007.
As a player, Ruff was selected in the second round of the 1979 draft by the
Sabres and made the team that year. He was later the Sabres’ captain,
playing for Buffalo until being traded to the New York Rangers in 1989.
Democrat and Chronicle LOADED: 06.22.2013
681927
Calgary Flames
Flooding causes 'shocking', unbelievable damage done to Saddledome
By Eric Francis,Calgary Sun
First posted: Friday, June 21, 2013 03:56 PM MDT | Updated: Friday, June
21, 2013 04:23 PM MDT
In a strange twist the flooding makes the team’s quest for a new building an
even more intriguing debate.
After years of watching the Oilers battle for public money to help build a
new downtown rink the Flames are on the verge of announcing their welldeveloped plans for a new home.
And while the appetite to spend any public money on a new NHL rink was
dampened by a recovering economy and a frustrating lockout it may make
much more sense to kickstart the project publicly now given the millions of
dollars in damage the Dome has surely sustained.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 06.22.2013
Saddledome flooding The Scotiabank Saddledome in downtown Calgary,
Alta. on June 21, 2013. The Saddledome, home to the NHL Calgary Flames
is completely flooded along with all of Stampede Park, home of the Calgary
Stampede after massive and destructive flooding in the core of the city from
the Elbow River bursting its banks in the south and east, and the Bow river
in the north. Stuart Dryden/Calgary Sun/QMI Agency
From Superdogs, superstars, streakers and several Stanley Cup finals,
Calgarians have seen just about everything at the Saddledome over the
years.
But nothing can compare to the scene there Friday when floodwater from
the Bow River filled the 30-year-old stadium to the 10th row.
“It’s shocking what we are looking at,” said Libby Raines, VP Building
Operations for the Calgary Flames.
“You’re eyeballing it but there’s a lot of water and it’s up to the 8th, 9th or
tenth row. However, from the last report it doesn’t appear it has risen at all
since then.”
Indeed that means the rink, the ice plant and a few thousand seats are
submerged by the shocking overflow that swept over Stampede Park and
the downtown core.
It also means the dressing rooms, the Jumbotron nerve centre, the Ed
Whalen Lounge and the Hot Stove Lounge are all likely destroyed, as well.
Plenty of history will likely be ruined too, including a massive championship
team photo from 1989 signed by most team members that hangs outside
the Flames dressing room.
“We do have someone who has checked the building several times and
obviously there’s a lot of water,” said Raines who is getting regular updates
all day long from head of security Bob Godun.
“I think you can say we expect there to be extensive damage.”
Godun is the only man who has gained access to the rink since Friday’s
storm surge hit as Flames employees were all told to stay away from work.
No pictures from inside the 19,200-seat venue are available as of yet,
making it impossible to assess any of the damage.
That said it’s hard to believe any of the star-studded Stampede concerts
scheduled to kick off July 10 will go ahead as planned.
“I think until we have a chance to go in and do some assessment we can’t
speak to that,” said Raines, when asked if she thought shows by the likes of
Tim McGraw, The Dixie Chicks, KISS or Rush will be rescheduled or
cancelled.
Raines said the Flames main office appeared safe from the floodwater as of
1 p.m. Friday and said her last few updates indicated the floodwater in the
rink has leveled off and wasn’t rising past the noon hour.
Stunning photos of water rushing down the service dock and into the Dome
had some questioning whether the Flames could have done anything to try
blocking the entrance, which is well-below street level.
“Certainly we were in touch with the city and knew there was significant
water coming this way but I think everyone is shocked,” said Raines,
echoing the sentiments of a city.
“We took some measures we could but with this volume of water…”
With the Flames, Hitmen and Roughnecks all finished for the year the
heavily-used building was actually in the midst of its quietest period. That
said, the Watchtower Convention was cancelled for this weekend.
The Dome is owned by the city but operated by the Flames as part of a
lease agreement that ends in 2014.
681928
Calgary Flames
Flood forces Calgary Flames prospect Ben Hanowski to seek higher ground
By WES GILBERTSON
,Calgary Sun
First posted: Friday, June 21, 2013 06:26 PM MDT
Hanowski Calgary Flames prospect Ben Hanowski was evacuated from his
home after flood water rose in the city .
Ben Hanowski is admittedly still learning his way around his new hockey
home.
The Calgary Flames winger learned a lot about the city during Friday’s
early-morning evacuation from his downtown apartment building.
“I’ve learned that people are always looking to help,” said Hanowski, one of
nearly 100,000 people forced from their homes due to raging flood waters
across Southern Alberta.
“I didn’t know how I was going to get (out of downtown). I didn’t know if I
could get a rental car out of the garage and through some water to get up
here, and I had a person come up to me right away and ask if I had a place
to go and if I had a way to get there and basically offered me a ride
somewhere. I’d never met the person before.
“I think that example, right there, kind of speaks to what the city of Calgary
is all about.”
While most of the veterans have split for the summer, Hanowski is one of a
handful of Flames’ youngsters skating and lifting weights together in
Calgary.
The 22-year-old from Little Falls, Minn., has been sharing an apartment with
centre Max Reinhart, but he was forced to find alternate accommodations
as water spilled into the downtown core Friday.
“For me, it was definitely scary this morning,” Hanowski said. “I’ve never
been a part of a dangerous natural disaster like this, and then it’s in a city I
don’t know and I don’t really know my way around that well. So, for me, it
was hectic and scary just trying to figure out where I was going to go and
how I was going to go about getting there.
“It was almost terrifying, a little bit. And then I saw right where I was driving
about a half an hour later (on TV) and it was completely flooded, so I just
got out in the nick of time.”
Hanowski made his big-league debut just over two months ago at the
Saddledome, one of countless structures to flood Friday. By early evening,
the water-level in the Flames’ rink had reportedly reached the luxury boxes
at the top of the lower bowl.
“It’s definitely tough to even envision that,” Hanowski said. “It’s terrible
what’s happening there. From the sounds of it, there’s a lot of damage
that’s been done and it’s going to take a lot of time to fix it.”
Added Flames defenceman Chris Butler on Twitter: “It’s hard to believe
some of these pictures I’m seeing of the Dome and Calgary. Hope
everyone is going alright.”
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681929
Carolina Hurricanes
Canes general manager, NCSU chancellor discuss scheduling issues at
PNC Arena
Published: June 21, 2013 Updated 52 minutes ago
By Chip Alexander — Staff writer
RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Jim
Rutherford and N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson met Friday to
discuss scheduling issues at PNC Arena.
"It was a good meeting and we'll continue to communicate and work on it,"
Rutherford said. "I don't want to characterize the meeting other than to say
it was a good meeting. I'll leave it at that until we get to the point where both
sides have an understanding that makes sense."
Gale Force Holdings, the company that owns the Hurricanes, operates the
arena and is responsible for scheduling the team's NHL games as well as
other events. N.C. State, the arena's prime tenant, has priority on
scheduling its men's basketball games and fall commencement in PNC
Arena.
Gale Force claimed NCSU put a hold on an excessive number of dates for
football and basketball. N.C. State uses the parking areas around the arena
for football games.
The Hurricanes had a June 1 deadline for submitting available home dates
to the NHL for the 2013-2014 season. N.C. State said it would not receive
its ACC conference schedule for next season until August or early
September and needed to hold dates open for added scheduling flexibility.
The Centennial Authority, which oversees the operation of the arena, voted
June 6 to request that Rutherford and Woodson meet to try and resolve the
scheduling issues. Their meeting Friday was held at the authority's offices
in PNC Arena.
Rutherford said a second meeting would be held within the next month.
News Observer LOADED: 06.22.2013
681930
Carolina Hurricanes
Canes, NC State meet about scheduling dispute
Published: June 22, 2013
By Chip Alexander — calexander@newsobserver.com
RALEIGH — Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Jim
Rutherford and N.C. State chancellor Randy Woodson met Friday to
discuss scheduling issues at PNC Arena.
“It was a good meeting and we’ll continue to communicate and work on it,”
Rutherford said. “I don’t want to characterize the meeting other than to say
it was a good meeting. I’ll leave it at that until we get to the point where both
sides have an understanding that makes sense.”
Gale Force Holdings, the company that owns the Hurricanes, operates the
arena and is responsible for scheduling the team’s NHL games as well as
other events. N.C. State, the arena’s prime tenant, has priority on
scheduling its men’s basketball games and fall commencement in PNC
Arena.
Gale Force claimed N.C. State put a hold on an excessive number of dates
for football and basketball. N.C. State uses the parking areas around the
arena for football games.
The Hurricanes had a June 1 deadline for submitting available home dates
to the NHL for the 2013-2014 season. N.C. State said it would not receive
its ACC conference schedule for next season until August or early
September. It said it needed to hold dates open for added scheduling
flexibility.
The Centennial Authority, which oversees the operation of the arena, voted
June 6 to request that Rutherford and Woodson meet to try and resolve the
scheduling issues. Their meeting Friday was held at the authority’s offices
in PNC Arena.
Rutherford said a second meeting would be held within the next month.
News Observer LOADED: 06.22.2013
681931
Chicago Blackhawks
More Rozsival plays better for Hawks
Defenseman making most of increased ice time during playoffs, especially
in finals
By Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune reporter
7:39 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville sees a lot of regrettable scratches next
to Michal Rozsival's name as he looks back on the regular season.
"(He) only played half the games, but deserved a lot more minutes than
that," Quenneville said at Friday's United Center practice on the eve of
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Bruins. "Even the games he
did play, (he) probably deserved to have more meaningful minutes. We felt
when he did get more ice time and take on more challenges that we were
comfortable with him against anybody on the ice."
He's making it up to Rozsival now. And Rozsival's making the most of it.
He is averaging more than 23 minutes per game in the finals, just shy of
191/2 through the playoffs as a whole. The veteran defenseman was at his
most productive Wednesday in Boston when he notched two assists.
He also had an assist on the Andrew Shaw game winner in the Game 1
triple-overtime.
"It doesn't matter who it is or who gets the assists or who gets the goals,"
he said. "But as a player, you feel better about yourself."
Since signing a one-year deal with the Blackhawks in September 2012,
Rozsival has tried to utilize his expertise from 13 years in the NHL.
"He has been a real nice fit to our team since the start of the season,"
Quenneville said. "Rosy is predictable, experienced (and his) patience level
with the puck is something we haven't in some time in that role."
Rozsival downplays the offensive role he has filled lately, noting that he is
"bad" at scoring goals and taking shots.
"I'm probably the worst at it," he said. "I get probably 0.9 shots per game."
But Quenneville said his overall game has made a difference this season.
"In that role, in that position, it really enhanced our overall team game,"
Quenneville said. "The depth of our defense from the outset of the season
was probably the greatest improvement from last year to this year, and he's
one of the big factors in that area."
As an unrestricted free agent, Rozsival was drawn to the Hawks because of
their potential to win a Cup. Despite more than a decade as a pro, this is
the closest he has come to hoisting it.
"There are guys who are much younger than me that have won the Cup
already," the 34-year-old said. "It's a huge thing. I'm having the best time of
my life right now. I've never had the chance to experience this."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681932
Chicago Blackhawks
Bruins shot blockers aren't rare breed
Players proud of leading NHL in playoffs in stopping pucks before they get
to goalie
By Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune reporter
7:15 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
BOSTON — Gregory Campbell rejoined the Bruins this week with a cast on
his right leg and a pair of crutches in his hands — a hobbling reminder of
the damage that can be done when a player gets in the way of a puck.
The Bruins' fourth-line center suffered a broken leg when he slid in front of
an Evgeni Malkin slap shot in the Eastern Conference finals against the
Penguins. Campbell, who now famously finished the remaining 45 seconds
of his penalty-kill shift on the injured leg, had surgery last week and is
spending the Stanley Cup Final against the Blackhawks contributing only in
spirit.
But the Bruins prefer to see the injured Campbell as a motivational figure —
not a cautionary one.
"It's bad luck," Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. "It hit him right
over the skate in between the pads. Something like that could always
happen. It doesn't change anything about how we play in here. It's about
blocking the shot and getting lucky once in a while."
Entering Game 5 of the finals, the Bruins lead the league with 342 blocked
shots in the playoffs, bettering the Hawks' 276.
Seidenberg has 51 in the postseason — including 22 in the Stanley Cup
Final — second only to teammate Johnny Boychuk's 57. Next in line are the
Hawks' Johnny Oduya (43) and Niklas Hjalmarsson (39), who had an injury
scare when he took a puck on the knee in Game 3 of the Western
Conference finals. He returned to the ice later in the game.
Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference said the key to those players' success
is the attitude Seidenberg showed when discussing Campbell's injury.
"(It's) the same thing that makes a good fighter — not being afraid to get
hurt," Ference said. "Some of those smaller guys can fight really well
because they're not afraid to get punched. It's the same thing with shot
blockers. They don't really have that thought in their mind about
consequences."
Ference said most players can block shots for years without having
Campbell's type of injury so the reward of putting an extra body in front of
the goal is greater than the risk of injury. The Bruins like to talk about layers
of defense, and Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who has three playoff
shutouts, expressed appreciation for the extra bodies between him and the
Hawks after a Game 3 victory Monday, when the Bruins blocked 17 shots to
the Hawks' seven.
Rask could have used more bodies in front of pucks in a 6-5 overtime loss
in Game 4, when the Bruins blocked just 11 shots, their fewest total this
series.
"It's a huge help," Rask said. "We've gotten better — a lot better — as the
season has gone on. They're not trying to play goalie, they're just trying to
be in the lane. … Our 'D' did a tremendous job during the playoffs (blocking
shots). I like that. As long as they block it and don't let it go through, we'll be
all set."
Campbell and his skate through his injury have made him a sort of symbol
of the Bruins' tough, blue-collar identity. He said earlier this week his injury
will keep him out six to eight weeks, and that could be nearly as difficult as
falling in front of Malkin's shot.
"It's a huge test of your character to have to sit on the sidelines," Campbell
said. "It's actually probably harder to watch than it is to play just because
you have no control over anything."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681933
Chicago Blackhawks
Stanley Cup Final: Game 5 spotlight
Hawks' Keith vs. Bruins' Chara
6:20 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
Blackhawks' Duncan Keith
Position: Defense
Number: 2
Height, weight: 6-1, 200
Shoots: Left
Born: July 16, 1983 (Age 29)
Birthplace: Winnipeg, Manitoba
2013 regular-season statistics: GP: 47; G: 3; A: 24; Pts: 27; Plus-minus:
Plus-16; PM: 31.
2013 postseason statistics: GP: 20; G: 2; A: 10; Pts: 12; Plus-minus: Plus10; PM: 18.
Bruins' Zdeno Chara
Position: Defense
Number: 33
Height, weight: 6-9, 255
Shoots: Left
Born: March 18, 1977 (Age 36)
Birthplace: Trencin, Slovakia
2013 regular-season statistics: GP: 48; G: 7; A: 12; Pts: 19; Plus-minus:
Plus-14; PM: 70.
2013 postseason statistics: GP: 20; G: 2; A: 12; Pts: 14; Plus-minus: Plus10; PM: 20.
Chris Kuc says: The leaders of the defense will be counted on heavily
during Game 5. Both blue liners are strong defensively and also are key
contributors offensively. While Keith is a blazing skater with a strong first
pass out of the zone, Chara is a big (OK, massive) body with a rocket of a
slap shot.
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681934
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks' Hossa good to go for Game 5
Hawks expect even more from winger than in Game 4 as he recovers from
upper body injury
Quenneville said the Hawks have been the victim of unlucky bounces at
times.
"Just looking back at the two goals last game, the first one was very
fortunate on their part," he said. "Then the next one was a bounce off the
glass, bounce over the net, in front of the net right on their sticks.
Sometimes they're going to go in."
Laughing matter: Sharp received grief from some teammates for his
celebration after a goal in Game 4 as the winger fell down in the midst of it.
By Chris Kuc and Shannon Ryan, Chicago Tribune reporters
7:02 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
"I'm still proud of it," Sharp said. "I was excited and was screaming and
yelling and throwing my arms around and next thing you know I was on my
knees. You dream about playing in the finals, winning that Stanley Cup.
You score a goal, you feel good about it."
Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa did not practice Friday but the veteran
winger "is fine" and will play in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on
Saturday night at the United Center, according to coach Joel Quenneville.
Said teammate Patrick Kane: "'Sharpie' doesn't really get too much
embarrassment so it's good for him to get his fill."
Hossa returned against the Bruins for Game 4 after missing the third match
of the best-of-seven series with what Quenneville said was an upper-body
injury.
"Hossa is fine," Quenneville said. "We expect him to be the same. One
thing about 'Hoss,' production offensively or responsibility defensively,
complementing our team game in all facets of our game is what we look for.
"The consistency of what he brings day in and day out is what makes him a
special player and a valuable addition to our team. All areas we're going to
be leaning on him. No matter where we put him, you know he's going to get
the job done. I would expect him to be feeling a lot more comfortable going
into (Game 5)."
After the Hawks' 6-5 overtime victory in Game 4 on Wednesday night,
during which he had an assist in 19 minutes, 7 seconds of ice time, Hossa
said the injury limited him.
"I liked his contribution last game," said Quenneville, who added that Hossa
will see more time on the penalty kill in Game 5. "We're very happy to use
him, whatever number you want to say percentage that he's ready at.
Everybody has different limitations but everybody gives it their all."
Like a glove: Much has been made about the Bruins repeatedly beating
Hawks goaltender Corey Crawford to the glove side during Game 4. Winger
Patrick Sharp took it upon himself during Friday's practice to test whether
it's a problem area for Crawford.
"I tried (Friday) and he stopped me glove side, so hopefully he has it all
figured out," Sharp said. "Everyone thinks (the Bruins) are going to shoot to
the glove. It's not like Corey can start cheating glove side because those
guys are such good shooters they can pick him apart. Who knows if that's a
once-in-a-lifetime type of game of if they've figured something out."
In focus: Hawks defenseman Nick Leddy believes 6-5 is more important
than 2:37.
Despite defeating the Bruins in overtime 6-5 in Game 4, Leddy's lack of
playing time has been dissected because he accrued only three shifts
during the game that added up to 2:37 on the ice.
"We won the game and really that's all that matters," he said. "It's about the
team. It's not really about me. We won the last game and we're now
focusing on the next one."
Quenneville said Leddy's minutes should increase in Game 5 and that
matchup strategy affected his ice time.
Leddy's main task, he said, is taking the right mental approach.
"If you're sitting there and obviously you want to be out there playing," he
said Friday after practice at the United Center, "you just have to stay
focused."
MIA PK? Heading into the Stanley Cup Final, the Hawks boasted a
dominant penalty kill. While it's still effective, it has shown cracks against
the Bruins.
The Hawks have given up four power-play goals through four games,
including two in Game 4 Wednesday night in Boston.
"They've been able to capitalize so you have to give them credit,"
defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We have to get our clears. There have
been a few times when we haven't been able to clear the puck where we've
had chances to and they've scored some goals off that."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681935
Chicago Blackhawks
No time for Hawks to pace themselves
They realize they have to use superior speed to outmaneuver relentless
Bruins
By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter
9:05 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
Up and down the ice the Blackhawks and Bruins raced, creating scoring
chance after scoring chance in a high-wire act of a Game 4 of the Stanley
Cup Final.
Who wouldn't like the brand of hockey that had players and fans on the
edge of their seats for three-plus hours Wednesday night in Boston?
"The coaches always want it to be 1-0 or 2-1 or a game when there's not
too much going on and you're playing good defensively," Hawks winger
Patrick Kane said after Friday's practice at the United Center. "For us and
the fans, we enjoy those kinds of games."
The Hawks enjoyed it more so than the Bruins as they skated to a 6-5
victory in overtime to even the best-of-seven series at 2-2. When the puck
is dropped for Game 5 on Saturday night at the United Center, the Hawks
would love nothing more than to stage another track meet — benefiting
their style of play over a Bruins team that would prefer to play in a rinkshaped vat of molasses.
"We definitely want to push the pace and play fast," Kane said. "I don't
know if we want it to be an up-and-down, back-and-forth game but … the
biggest thing (is) just try to play fast. Use our speed to our advantage,
whether that's not getting held up by their defensemen or not getting picked
(and) just keeping our momentum into their end. Even when we come back,
(it's) keeping our momentum and use it to transition on the rush."
The 11 goals scored in Game 4 marked the highest-scoring game of the
postseason league-wide and were the most in a Stanley Cup Final contest
since the Hawks topped the Flyers 7-4 in Game 5 of the 2010 finals.
Twenty-two of the 36 skaters in Wednesday's game had at least one point
— including six multi-point efforts.
"Game 4 was a little too wide open," Hawks rookie winger Brandon Saad
said. 'We don't want to go back and forth like that but we do want to play
with that pace and use that speed and play aggressive. We can tighten up a
little defensively but that's the speed you want to play with as a team."
In the Hawks' two victories in the series, they have scored a total of 10
goals. The Bruins, meanwhile, notched a combined four goals in their two
triumphs.
During the regular season, the Hawks were second in the NHL in scoring
with an average of 3.10 goals per game while the Bruins ranked 13th at
2.65. The Hawks topped the league with a plus-53 goal differential while
Boston was tied for fourth at plus-22.
"It's definitely not our game," Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron said Friday of
full-throttle offensive play. "(We) just have to stick to what's successful for
us."
Aside from the Hawks' stable of scorers — including Kane, Jonathan
Toews, Patrick Sharp and Marian Hossa — they are at their best when their
defensemen activate the offense coming out of their own zone.
"We're trying to get up in the play … and help be involved and push the
pace — that's a big factor," blue liner Duncan Keith said. "We just try to
create off … our ability to skate pucks through the neutral zone and skate
them over the blue line, rather than having to dump it in every time."
The key now for the Hawks is to recreate the style of play that allowed them
time and space and enough room to maneuver to turn on the jets and
approach Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask with speed. That is easier said
than done against a Bruins team that has shown an uncanny ability to dig in
and clog the neutral zone.
"You don't really know what to expect in this series," Kane said. "Game 1
you had three overtimes, Game 2 was a tight 2-1 game, then they took it to
us in Game 3 and in Game 4 you see 11 goals. We're not really sure what
to expect."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681936
Chicago Blackhawks
Krejci lays everything on the line
Bruins center for Lucic and Horton believes trio has to do more to win Cup
By Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune reporter
9:03 PM CDT, June 21, 2013
Bruins center David Krejci rated the performance of his line as "so-so"
during the two Stanley Cup Final games in Boston this week.
"But so-so is not good enough," Krejci said Friday on the eve of Game 5
against the Blackhawks at the United Center.
Krejci entered the finals with nine goals in the playoffs, but he hasn't scored
since, settling for three assists in the first four games.
But Krejci's line with Milan Lucic and Nathan Horton got off to a good start
when Lucic scored the first two goals of the series. They were on the ice for
two more in a 6-5 overtime loss in Game 4 on Wednesday — including
Lucic's third goal of the finals — but Krejci and Lucic said they need to do
more.
"We have to definitely be better as a line," Lucic said. "We have to find a
way to break through in whatever kind of adjustments they have made."
Horton, who hasn't added to his total of seven playoff goals, left Game 1
with an apparent upper-body injury. He returned in Game 2, but Krejci said
Friday the injury hasn't affected their play. Horton had an assist on
defenseman Johnny Boychuk's goal to send Wednesday's game to
overtime.
"He hasn't been putting the puck in the net, but he made the terrific play on
the tying goal, when Johnny shot it," Krejci said. "He's still doing his thing. I
don't think we should talk about him. We should talk about us as a line.
Each of us, we have to help each other a little more."
Soderberg bumped up: Bruins forward Carl Soderberg skated on the fourth
line with Rich Peverley and Shawn Thornton at the Bruins' practice in
Boston on Friday. But Thornton said the line also took rushes with Kaspars
Daugavins, who has occupied the spot left open by the injured Gregory
Campbell since the conference finals.
Coach Claude Julien will reveal lineup decisions Saturday.
Daugavins and Thornton each played less than six minutes in Game 4.
Soderberg played in six regular-season games for the Bruins this year,
totaling two assists.
"He's a big, strong body who's heavy on pucks and can shoot the puck,"
Thornton said of Soderberg.
Advantage, Bruins: One positive the Bruins took away from Wednesday's
loss was the continued success of their power play.
The Bruins have scored four goals on 14 power plays in this series,
including Peverley and Patrice Bergeron notching one apiece in Game 4.
It's a noticeable difference from the regular season, when their power-play
percentage of 14.8 percent ranked 26th in the league.
"It's like anything else — confidence is a big part of the game, and when
you start feeling it, you try and hold on to it as long as you can," Julien said.
"Right now our guys are feeling it and feel confident about how we're
handling the puck and moving it around.
"For all the struggles we had with it, what better time than now to be pretty
decent on it."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681937
Chicago Blackhawks
Bench Corey Crawford? You’re yanking my chain
BY RICK TELANDER rtelander@suntimes.com June 20, 2013 11:17PM
Updated: June 21, 2013 2:38PM
Well, they did. Taser and Kaner scored, always good things. And Brent
Seabrook nailed the game-winner in overtime, something that Crawford
said got him ‘‘really pumped.’’
As it should have.
Here’s the thing about goaltending in the NHL: The puck always gets past
the goalie on a score, but it isn’t always the goalie’s fault. Pucks go into the
net after bouncing off skates, poles, pads. Opposing players block the
goalies’ view, so half the time he’s near-blind. And often his own teammates
block his view. Bounces can be crazy.
So you leave Boston on a gorgeous almost-summer day and arrive back in
Chicago to sunshine and good cheer, and then you hear this light buzz
among Blackhawks fans:
How about the goal that came after the Bruins’ Zdeno Chara mashed a
long-range shot over the net, with the puck bouncing off the back wall and
flying over the top of the net to fall perfectly into the crease? Whereupon the
Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron knocked it in.
Bench Corey Crawford.
Should Crawford have eyes in the back of his helmet?
Oh, my God.
Should he have one of those ‘‘Exorcist’’-style rotating heads? (Minus the
green spew, of course.)
You turn and nearly ask for a return ticket to Beantown.
Bench Corey Crawford.
Yeah, there ya go.
That’s the answer.
‘‘We’re very comfortable with Corey,’’ said Coach Q in his quiet way, which
you can pretty much count on as beng sincere. ‘‘Corey has been rock-solid
all year for us, and when he’s got the ball, he’s been outstanding. He’s the
biggest reason why we’re here today.’’
Hear that, folks?
Perfect.
Yank the goalie who has led the Blackhawks down this thrilling path to a 2-2
tie in the Stanley Cup Final.
Because he gave up five goals in Game 4 and some of them your little
brother could have stopped. Or your dog. Or one of Whitey Bulger’s
corpses. Hell, you could have stopped them all by your corpulent self!
Seriously, Chicago?
Is this what it’s come to?
Replacement goalie Ray Emery did a nice job filling in for Crawford at times
this season. He’s a team guy. Has more tattoos than anybody but Derrick
Rose. Solid.
‘‘Biggest reason.’’
You don’t even ponder yanking your biggest reason for a game like this fifth
one. You know the Blackhawks are 11-2 at the United Center in these
playoffs? That would be Crawford in net.
I can’t even imagine the deflating message for the kid if you benched him
for this one. In fact, it’s so stupid, I can’t believe I have gotten so riled up on
this, the near-longest sunshine-day of the year.
Critics are saying Crawford is soft to his glove-hand side. You think he
doesn’t know that the Bruins know that and that he knows that they know it?
The Hawks’ defense knows it, too. They can steer shooters anywhere they
want. Make it easy for Crow.
But he hasn’t played in almost two months. He hasn’t gotten a whiff in the
four series of this postseason.
Crawford and Rask are prime candidates for the Conn Smythe Trophy. Did
they get bad overnight?
He might break into a million little pieces if coach Joel Quenneville put him
out there now.
Ludicrous.
Plus, Emery’s not as good as Crawford.
Plus, how shocking would it be to any human being — other than Crawford
— to abruptly be the man most focused upon at a huge homecoming game,
with so much in the balance, plus Jim Cornelison scaring you half to death
with his bellowing, cornball national anthem, followed by foghorns and
‘‘Chelsea Dagger’’ chicken-dancing?
Insane. Dumbest thing I’ve heard of in some time.
Yes, Crawford gave up five goals in Game 4. But Bruins goalie Tuukka
Rask gave up six!
The Hawks won, remember?
Why were 11 goals scored in that game when only five were scored in the
previous two?
‘‘This felt like a run-and-gun kind of game,’’ the Bruins’ Johnny Boychuk
said.
Imagine, the Blackhawks themselves had scored just five goals total in the
first three Final games, had gone 129 minutes, more than two full games,
without scoring at all, until Michal Handzus got a short-handed goal in the
first period Wednesday.
Explain that.
‘‘I can’t explain it,’’ defenseman Duncan Keith said. ‘‘Sometimes hockey is
just funny like that.’’
And wild, and thrilling.
‘‘Yeah, that was definitely an exciting game,’’ said Crawford himself postwin, agreeing with a reporter but sounding about as excited as a sedated
sloth. ‘‘We had a lot of good things going for us.’’
‘‘No matter how many goals are going in,’’ Crawford said, ‘‘you gotta be
able to pull through and win.’’
The Blackhawks did, didn’t they?
Yep.
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681938
Chicago Blackhawks
VIEW FROM BOSTON: After Blackhawks’ shots, Lucic defends Chara
BY STEVE CONROY Boston Herald June 21, 2013 10:58PM
Updated: June 22, 2013 2:08AM
Compared with the Bruins’ Stanley Cup Final series against the Canucks
two years ago, this matchup against the Blackhawks has been reasonably
respectful.
But immediately after the Hawks’ 6-5 overtime victory over the Bruins in
Game 4 at TD Garden, Hawks captain Jonathan Toews was feeling his oats
a bit.
He had just scored his first goal of the series, and his newly reunited line
with Patrick Kane and Bryan Bickell was highly effective against the Bruins’
top defense pair. So Toews decided to take a shot at Bruins captain Zdeno
Chara, who was a very uncharacteristic minus-3 and on the ice for five
goals.
While prefacing his remarks by saying Chara’s a great player, he made a
point of saying that he’s not unbeatable, either.
“There’s certain ways you can expose him,” Toews said. ‘‘I think the dumpins that we made [Wednesday] were going to his side. We made sure we
were out-numbering him everywhere we went, taking away his stick-first
thing.
“We just try not to be intimidated by his size. You have to get to the net, find
a way inside, not be, like I said, intimidated by that. We can outwork him,
and we did that, and we want to continue that.”
Lest anyone think Toews let some bulletin-board material out accidentally,
he pretty much reiterated what he said the next day in Chicago.
And Bickell continued the we’re-not-afraid-of-the-big-bad-wolf tone in giving
his assessment of Chara on Thursday.
“He doesn’t like getting hit,” Bickell said.
When forward Milan Lucic was apprised of the comment after the Bruins
arrived in Chicago on the eve of Saturday’s huge Game 5, he broke into a
wide grin.
“Honestly, I don’t know where they’d get that scouting report from because
he definitely doesn’t mind the physical play at all,” Lucic said.
Lucic doesn’t buy the notion that the Hawks are wearing Chara down.
“Playing with him for six years now, he’s not a guy that I’ve seen gets worn
down, so the two days between games I know he’s gotten his rest, and he’s
going to bring it,” Lucic said.
Lucic said he can’t recall a time that Chara has been on the ice for five
goals against, and though Chara certainly wasn’t responsible for all five
goals, he doesn’t expect it to happen again.
“He’s got that type of attitude where he wants to be better,’’ Lucic said, ‘‘and
he’s going to be better. He’s our captain, and I’m sure he’s going to lead the
way for us.
“He always has come out and responded the next game. He takes a lot of
pride in doing what he does.”
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681939
Chicago Blackhawks
Leddy, sit, go: Nick to see more action for Blackhawks
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com June 21, 2013 8:52PM
Updated: June 22, 2013 2:08AM
After an ominous benching in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final,
defenseman Nick Leddy is getting another chance.
Leddy, 22, played four shifts and had only 2:37 of ice time in the
Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory Wednesday night against the Bruins at TD
Garden.
‘‘We expect Nick to get back to playing more [in Game 5],’’ coach Joel
Quenneville said. ‘‘Every game is different, but he brings a nice guy from
our back end that can move the puck and defend and do what we need him
to do to get involved in the attack.’’
The stoic Leddy reacted to the benching without emotion. He said he talked
with Quenneville about his reduced ice time but didn’t say much about it.
‘‘I think we won the game,’’ Leddy said. ‘‘That’s all that matters. It’s about
the team. It’s not really about me. We won the last game, and we’re now
focusing on the next one.’’
Labor of glove
The Hawks appeared amused by the focus on Corey Crawford getting beat
on his glove side in Game 4.
‘‘I tried [in practice], and he stopped me glove-side, so hopefully he’s got it
all figured out,’’ Patrick Sharp joked after practice Friday. ‘‘I don’t know if
that was the [Bruins’] game plan, but I like Corey in there. I’ve seen goals
go in all different ways, and I’ve seen him make saves all different ways. I
like his chances against them.’’
Faceoff advice
After getting dominated in the faceoff circle 40-16 in a Game 3 loss in
Boston, the Hawks were virtually even in Game 4, losing 39-38. Sharp, who
was 4-for-7 on faceoffs in Game 4, said he learned from one of the best —
Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke, who helped out when Sharp was a minorleaguer in the Flyers’ organization.
The lesson? Don’t overthink it.
‘‘The biggest thing he told me was, ‘Get in there, get low and just battle and
not be afraid to get dirty,’ ’’ Sharp said. ‘‘Sometimes you get thinking about
what the other guy’s doing, and ... the best way is [to] just get in there and
compete for the puck.’’
Home vs. road
The Hawks would rather have home-ice advantage than not in what is now
a best-of-three series. But they know it’s not an automatic against the
Bruins, who are 6-3 on the road in the playoffs and won Game 2 at the
United Center.
‘‘We’re a team that doesn’t mind playing on the road,’’ Bruins coach Claude
Julien said. ‘‘That’s not something we fear. We’re going into [Game 5] with
as much confidence as anybody else would.’’
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681940
Chicago Blackhawks
Bruins’ power play keeps Blackhawks guessing
BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com June 21, 2013 8:52PM
Updated: June 22, 2013 2:08AM
It took Blackhawks opponents 17 games to score three power-play goals
through the first three rounds of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It took the Boston
Bruins just four games to score four.
In what seemed like a matchup that heavily favored the Hawks — their
penalty-killing unit (94.8 percent in the first three rounds) against the Bruins’
power play (0-for-13 in a four-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins in the
Eastern Conference final) — the Bruins have succeeded by keeping the
Hawks guessing.
“They’ve got a lot of different looks,” Hawks winger Michael Frolik said. “In
this series, they started with three high shots. Then they went down low.
Now they’re using the slot. Every game, they came with something
different. It’s not easy when you have to make the adjustment in the game.”
The Bruins are 4-for-14 (28.5 percent) on the power play in the series. In
Game 4, they scored twice on five attempts, though Frolik and Hawks
coach Joel Quenneville were quick to point out how fluky the second one
was, with the puck bouncing high off the glass, over the net and into the
crease, where Patrice Bergeron smacked it in.
“Sometimes, they’re going to go in,” Quenneville said. “I don’t think we did
things that generated production. But, hey, they’ve got some guys with
patience with the puck, and they’ve got some guys that can make plays,
and they’ve got some big shooters. So that’s always an ongoing challenge.”
The Hawks likely will get a boost on the penalty kill if Marian Hossa — a
scratch for Game 3 and limited to one short-handed shift in Game 4 — is
closer to 100 percent. Hossa skipped practice Friday, but Quenneville said
that he was “fine” and that he’ll get more penalty-killing time in Game 5 on
Saturday at the United Center.
“Obviously, he’s a great skater, and he’s great for the PK for us, too,” Frolik
said. “For sure, it’s a loss.”
Given how tight the series has been — three of four games have gone to
overtime — a power-play goal here or a big kill there could make all the
difference. But Frolik said he, Marcus Kruger, Jonathan Toews and the rest
of the Hawks’ penalty killers aren’t putting too much pressure on
themselves.
“We always want to kill the penalty and help the team, whatever time it is,”
he said. “But you want to go [out] there and think positive and just think you
have to kill [the next] one.”
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681941
Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Sharp flying under radar as playoff goal leader
BY MARK LAZERUS mlazerus@suntimes.com June 21, 2013 8:52PM
Updated: June 22, 2013 2:07AM
Patrick Sharp is doing a lot of talking these days, and the word he keeps
coming back to is “fun.”
Ask him about the unyielding tension and pressure of the playoffs. He’ll say
it’s fun. Ask him about the smack talk and post-whistle shoving matches
that are starting to bubble up with the Boston ­Bruins. He’ll say how much
fun it is. He even seems to be enjoying the crush of the international media,
gradually emerging as not only a Conn Smythe candidate as playoff MVP,
but as the face of the Blackhawks during the Stanley Cup -Final — as quick
with a one-liner as he is with a one-timer.
When Game 1 of the series ended in triple overtime, it was Sharp who
gamely stood at his locker stall and addressed wave after wave of reporters
while teammates desperately chugged fluids and caught their breath. After
a wild 6-5 win in Game 4, Sharp held court in the dressing room. Then on
NHL Network. Then on ESPN.
Canada’s TSN then got some mileage out of Sharp’s tumble during his
post-goal celebration Wednesday, counting down the 10 most awkward
sports celebrations. The network poked him about it again after practice
Friday.
“Jimmy Fallon said I was ‘most likely to stare at myself in the ice,’ ” Sharp
said, referring to a “Late Night” bit that had some fun with the Hawks’ and
Bruins’ official headshots. “Maybe I was looking at myself. I don’t know.”
Said teammate and frequent Sharp-needling victim Patrick Kane: “Sharpie
doesn’t really see too much embarrassment, so it’s good for him to get his
fill.”
Sharp doesn’t usually see too much attention, either. At least, not compared
to some of his higher-profile teammates, such as Kane, Jonathan Toews,
Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. The talk lately has been about how
Toews isn’t scoring enough goals. The talk before that was about Kane not
scoring enough goals.
Meanwhile, all Sharp has been doing in the playoffs is scoring goals. As
usual.
“He’s kind of been overlooked and under the radar for some time, ever
since I’ve been here,” Kane said. “He’s been probably our most consistent
goal-scorer ever since I’ve been here, too.”
Sharp’s Game 4 goal — embarrassing as the aftermath was — was his
10th of the postseason, more than any other player in the league. He had
11 goals and 11 assists in the Hawks’ 2010 run to the Stanley Cup,
including a tally in each of the last three games of the Final against the
Philadelphia Flyers (though Toews got the Conn Smythe). The year before
that, Sharp had seven goals in three rounds.
Sharp scored at least 20 times in six consecutive seasons — including
three 30-goal campaigns — before the combination of a shortened
schedule and a shoulder injury limited him to six goals in 2013. But he has
more than made up for that in the playoffs, carrying the offensive load in the
early going while Toews and Kane struggled.
“He’s a big-time player,” rookie Brandon Saad said. “That’s what I’ve
realized this year. He’s shown up in big games, he’s had some big goals for
us and he’s a leader on this team. I’m not sure what people out there are
saying, but in here, as a team, we know how important he is.”
The rest of the hockey world seems to be catching on, though Sharp just
shrugged at the idea. Either way, he’s just having a lot of fun.
“The media writes stories that they choose to write about,” Sharp said. “If
they don’t write about me, that’s fine. We’ve got plenty of players in here
that deserve recognition. I’m not the only one flying under the radar.”
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681942
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks’ playoff trend has been to improve as series progress
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com June 21, 2013 8:52PM
Updated: June 22, 2013 2:08AM
The mercurial nature of the Stanley Cup playoffs is on display in all its glory
during the entertaining Final between the Blackhawks and Boston Bruins.
The Hawks had a Tuukka Rask problem until they didn’t. The Bruins
dominated the faceoff circle until they didn’t. Zdeno Chara is a scourge one
moment and a minus-3 the next. On Wednesday morning, Corey Crawford
was a Conn Smythe candidate. On Thursday morning, coach Joel
Quenneville was asked if Ray Emery might be a better option. Home ice is
cherished but as dependable as the next faceoff. If you’re counting on your
‘‘compete level’’ to make the difference, you might as well lean on ‘‘tails
never fails’’ because the other guys’ compete level might trump yours.
Like everything else in this series, Game 5 on Saturday night at the United
Center can go either way. The Bruins are the toughest opponent the Hawks
have faced in their four seasons as Stanley Cup contenders. That the
Hawks got the shootout they prefer in Game 4 and squeaked by 6-5 in
overtime to avoid a 3-1 series deficit confirmed that, if you had your doubts.
With each team as resilient as the other, this series seems destined to end
with a clink or a clank.
But after turning the series around in Game 4, one Hawks trend is still in
play: This team learns well.
The Hawks have a knack for finishing stronger than they started. They are
6-6 in Games 1-3 of the playoffs but 8-1 in Games 4-7 — including 4-1 on
the road. No other team in the playoffs is close. The Bruins are 10-2 in
Games 1-3 and 4-4 in Games 4-7.
It’s unlikely a coincidence. In the last four seasons, the Hawks are 15-15 in
Games 1-3 and 20-6 in Games 4-7. Only the Red Wings (8-13/12-9) come
close to that kind of late-series uptick, and the Hawks won that battle with a
flurry at the end — winning the final three games for a 4-3 series victory.
The conclusion to draw is that the Hawks struggle initially against
opponents’ attempts to neutralize their unique speed and skill but eventually
figure it out. Sometimes it’s a lineup change. Sometimes it’s Quenneville’s
line-jumbling. Sometimes it’s just desperation. But they always figure it out.
‘‘The first couple of games you’re always feeling out a team to see what
they’re like and what they’re going to give the rest of the series,’’ Patrick
Kane said. ‘‘It’s important for us to get stronger as the series goes on.
We’re in a great situation now.’’
‘‘I don’t know if we play harder or stronger,’’ defenseman Duncan Keith
said. ‘‘Things get changed up. You saw the line combinations [in Game 4].
A lot of it is just chemistry. Once you get things figured out against lines and
teams, maybe that helps a bit.’’
In a close series such as this one, a little bit can make the difference. It’s
not as if the Hawks trample their opponents as each series ensues. They’re
like a boxer who measures his opponent in the early rounds and wins on
points.
The Bruins are the X-factor in this equation. They might be measuring the
Hawks for all we know.
‘‘That 8-1 record doesn’t really mean much if we don’t take care of business
[in Game 5],’’ forward Patrick Sharp said. ‘‘It’s a tough stat to figure out. All I
can say is that we want to get better as the series goes on.’’
Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681943
Chicago Blackhawks
For hockey players, pain part of the game
By Barry Rozner
In 1986, Troy Murray played a series for the Blackhawks against Toronto
with two broken ribs and a broken hand.
When it was disclosed after the series, Bob Pulford — nearly in tears —
suggested Murray might have been the toughest player he had ever known.
But Murray wanted no congratulations for playing in pain. In the NHL, and in
the postseason, that's what hockey players do.
So when this is over, you're likely to find out that Marian Hossa, Jonathan
Toews, Dave Bolland and several other Blackhawks have been in agony for
weeks or even months.
Some will never reveal publicly what ailed them for fear of it sounding like
an excuse, knowing that all players are hurting this time of year.
It is only a matter of degree.
So Gregory Campbell is a bit embarrassed these days, having become a
legend in Boston for finishing a shift — 47 seconds — in Game 3 of the
Eastern Conference finals …after breaking his leg on a shot block.
He said, simply enough, that this is what hockey players do.
"There's been an overwhelming amount of support for me. It's humbling, to
be honest with you," Campbell said when addressing the media this week in
Boston. "The way I look at it — and it might sound naive of me — but I was
just trying to do whatever I could to kill the penalty. At that point I really
wasn't thinking much.
"There are a lot of players right now that are playing not 100 percent, and
there's a lot of guys that play through pain. I don't see myself any different
than anybody else in this league.
"A lot of players are willing to do whatever they can to win. I'm no different
than anyone else on these two teams in the (Stanley Cup Final). I was just
trying to finish the play and do my job."
Campbell said he knew something was wrong after taking a shot from
Evgeni Malkin, but since he couldn't get to the bench, he did the best he
could to occupy space and clog the shooting lanes, while hopping
helplessly on one leg.
"I've got asked that a few times, 'Did you know it was broken? You know, I
can't say with 100 percent certainty that I knew it was broken, but it felt
different,'' Campbell said. "I blocked a few shots before. This just seemed
different.
"Once I was able to get back to my feet, I was fairly sure something was
wrong. The pain aspect, yeah, I mean, it hurt a little bit. But you're stuck on
the ice with a couple of the best players in the world. You really don't have
much time to think about anything else but trying to help kill a penalty."
Because that's what hockey players do.
They don't flop around on the ice looking for attention, and they don't go
searching for any after the fact.
"I'm not going to put myself in front of anybody else and say I'm the picture
of the Bruins. This Original Six organization goes back a long way,"
Campbell said. "There's 18 other guys in that room that would do the same
thing, and that's what makes us successful, and makes us a hard team to
play against."
Campbell was asked to address the NHL media because there had been so
many requests to talk to him after his surgery, but he's having a hard time
understanding the interest in his story.
Obviously, he says, he would have gone to the bench if he had been closer,
or had the puck been cleared, but with no ability to skate, he knew it would
have meant a prolonged 5-on-3 while he hobbled off.
"I tried to get in the lane and prevent passes,'' Campbell said. "Obviously, I
wasn't very effective at that, but at least I tried to not be a liability. I think it
was more beneficial that I stayed out there than if I just kind of headed for
the bench."
He's cognizant of what other players around the league would think of this
much focus on something they see as less than extraordinary, so Campbell
is the reluctant hero in a town that has seen its share of them in recent
months.
"That's kind of the nature of hockey players," Campbell said. "It's not me
specifically. It's everybody in this league, the will to want to succeed and
play for your teammates and have pride in yourself.
"But it just goes to show you how tough you have to be to play in this
league. There's 700, 800 other players that are tough like that and play
through things every day."
That is, after all, what hockey players do.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681944
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks expect more ice time for Leddy
By Mike Spellman
Try as one might, it was difficult to get Blackhawks defenseman Nick Leddy
to admit after Friday morning's practice just how tough it was on him to
have to watch most of Wednesday's thrilling Game 4 from the Hawks'
bench.
For whatever reason, and the guesses are numerous, Leddy was the odd
man out Wednesday, taking just 4 shifts on the night for a total of 2:37 of
ice time as coach Joel Quenneville opted to go with a five-man rotation on
defense.
This after Leddy averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time in his four previous
games.
"I'm not really sure," Leddy said, when asked about his reduced ice time in
Boston. "It could've been just how the game was going. But my focus isn't
on that, it's more on just being ready."
And no matter how many different ways he was asked or how creatively the
questions were phrased, the 22-year-old defenseman deflected the
inquiries, responding each time — in one form or another — that his main
goal was to stay focused and be ready for Game 5.
But across the room, Andrew Shaw knew just what his good buddy was
going through and offered a little insight.
"It's tough. It's happened to me in my career. It happens to everyone,"
Shaw said. "It's something you work past, push yourself to get better and
work harder.
"He's a great player and he knows that. He's great offensively and
defensively; he's got speed — he's just got to get that confidence going."
On Friday, Quenneville offered up a slightly more detailed answer when
asked again about Leddy's lack of ice time in Game 4.
"I think as the game progressed last game, not getting him out there against
the matchup that we were looking for was there, too," Quenneville said.
"Then late in the game we didn't go there.
"I thought the five guys in our rotation were getting the job done."
The good news for Leddy is that it looks like Quenneville is going to try to
find him more ice time for Game 5 at the United Center.
"I think we expect Nick to get back to playing more," he said. "We'll look
forward to getting him more involved."
And one thing for is for sure, when Leddy's number is called, you know that
he'll be ready ... and focused.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681945
Chicago Blackhawks
Like Kane, Sharp’s a big-game player for Hawks
"That was kind of a fluke game," Sharp said. "That's not going to happen
very often with him. To think that we have anything figured out is ridiculous.
He's a great player and I don't think Boston cares that he was on the ice for
5 goals; they'll have him out there every opportunity they can."
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
By Tim Sassone
Patrick Kane lives for the big moments.
But so does Patrick Sharp.
The Blackhawks have two big-game players with the potential to make the
difference in the pivotal Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday at the
United Center.
The series is tied 2-2 with either the Hawks or Boston Bruins having the
opportunity to move a step closer to the Stanley Cup.
"I feel like every time I get asked this question I don't play good," Kane said
Friday. "You always want to step up in big games so hopefully I can do that.
It seems like from here on out every game gets bigger and bigger. It's
definitely exciting: Stanley Cup Final, series is 2-2, you've got the best of
three with two at home."
On a team filled with stars such as Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian
Hossa, it's Sharp who flies under the radar. But he is just as important to
the team as anyone.
"I'm not sure what the people out there are saying, but in here as a group,
as a team, we know how important he is," rookie left winger Brandon Saad
said. "He knows that we look up to him and how well he's playing. I don't
think it matters what everyone else is saying.
"He's a big-time player. That's what I realized this year is he's shown up in
big games. He's had some big goals for us and he's a leader on this team."
Sharp's 10 goals lead the Hawks in the playoffs and puts him smack in the
middle of the Conn Smythe talk as playoff MVP.
Sharp also led the Hawks in goals with 11 when they won the Stanley Cup
in 2010, but Toews was awarded the MVP.
"I enjoy playing the games that mean a lot," Sharp said. "I enjoy the big
stage, but I think there are a lot of players in this room who would say that.
That's the reason why we're back here."
While some Hawks such as Toews have struggled to score in the playoffs,
Sharp has been the team's most consistent producer.
"Sharpie has had a good playoff, and I thought he scored a huge goal for
our power play and for himself and for our team (in Game 4)," Hawks coach
Joel Quenneville said. "The last few games, he seems like he's getting the
puck a lot more and getting opportunities around the net. Certain guys get
opportunities and certain guys get a little bit more attention than others
come playoff time. But like we said all along, we don't care who scores, but
we like the fact that he's been productive."
Quenneville considers Sharp one of his top leaders on and off the ice.
"He's been through it," Quenneville said. "I think he helps with the younger
guys. Knowing that, I think at this stage of the game you don't want to get
ahead of your experience, and that experience of past years or a couple
years ago is certainly valuable.
"His recognition of those type of guys, where they're at today, is very
beneficial for our team and for our staff. Saying the right things, doing the
right things."
Sharp doesn't know what to expect in Game 5 as far as if it will be another
high-scoring 6-5 affair or a return to tight checking.
"It was just one of those games where there was a little more room out
there," Sharp said of Game 4. "You can say that suits us well, but we won
in overtime so it could have gone either way. They can play a lot of different
styles as well. Your guess is as good as mine what's going to happen."
Sharp is amused by the talk of how the Hawks have "figured out" Bruins 6foot-9 defenseman Zdeno Chara, who was on the ice for 5 goals against in
the last game.
681946
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks show some love for Crawford’s glove
Defenseman Michal Rozsival helped turn Game 4 around for the Hawks
with two point shots that got through to the net.
Jonathan Toews tipped the first one in and Patrick Kane scored on a
rebound on the second one.
Rozsival had a strong game, playing more than 26 minutes.
By Tim Sassone
So Corey Crawford has a weak glove hand.
That's news to him and the Blackhawks.
"Last series it was my blocker," Crawford joked on Friday.
"I tried today and he stopped me glove side, so hopefully he's got it all
figured out," teammate Patrick Kane said. "I've seen goals go in all different
ways and I've seen him make saves all different ways. I like his chances
against them.
"Everyone thinks (they're) going to shoot to the glove. It's not like Corey can
start cheating glove side, because those guys are such good shooters they
can pick him apart. Who knows if that's a once-in-a-lifetime type of game or
if they've figured something out."
The Bruins scored all 5 goals to Crawford's glove side in Game 4, but even
they claimed it was just coincidence.
"Well, I think you guys exposed them because we scored 5 goals on that
side," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "I don't think it was done purposely
on our end of it. We happened to shoot there because that's where the
opening was at that time.
"I think you can score on other areas, hopefully, on Corey Crawford than
just the glove. It's one of those games where a lot of them went on that
side. But at the end of the day, you're looking for ways to score goals, and
whether it's cross toss or tips or screens or whatever, it doesn't really
matter."
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville thinks goalies are the most scrutinized
players on the ice.
"The scrutiny of goaltending at any stage of the season is at a different level
of any other player, and I guess it's even more out there now that you're in
the Final," Quenneville said. "But Corey just seems to move forward
whatever the challenge is, the next shot, the next game. He won a big
game for us, and that's where we're at."
Faceoff success:
The Hawks did a much better job on faceoffs in Game 4, winning 49
percent of them.
Patrick Sharp, who was 4-3, had a pretty good teacher in the minors in
former Flyers center Bobby Clarke, who was considered one of the best
ever on faceoffs.
"I played center growing up and I remember Bobby Clarke came out on the
ice with us in Philadelphia in the minors and kind of taught us how to take
faceoffs," Sharp said. "The biggest thing he told me was, 'Get in there, get
low and just battle and not be afraid to get dirty.'
"Sometimes you get thinking about what the other guy's doing and what you
want to do at the faceoff dot and sometimes the best way is just get in there
and compete for that puck."
Hossa to play:
Marian Hossa didn't practice on Friday, but Joel Quenneville and his
teammates expect him to play in Saturday's pivotal Game 5.
"I think he's going to play," linemate Patrick Sharp said. "He played last
game and I thought he played well. He wasn't at his best, but we'll take
Hoss at any percentage we can get. He makes so many good plays with
the puck and away from the puck."
Jamal Mayers took Hossa's spot at right wing on the second line with Sharp
and Michal Handzus at Friday's practice, but he also did that at the morning
skate on Monday before Game 4.
"Hossa is fine," Quenneville said.
Shots through:
"He's been a real nice fit to our team since the start of the season," Joel
Quenneville said. "Rozy is predictable, experienced; (his) patience level
with the puck is something we haven't had in some time in that role. He only
played half the games, but deserved a lot more minutes.
"The depth of our defense from the outset of the season was probably the
greatest improvement from last year to this year. He's been productive all
year long. His direct plays and putting the puck in right areas when there
are no direct plays is very complementary to our team game."
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681947
Chicago Blackhawks
One-on-one with the Blackhawks GM
By Bob Verdi
Stan Bowman, the vice president/general manager of the Blackhawks,
chooses to remain in the background. But National Hockey League insiders
frequently hail the job he has done in building a deep roster through trades,
draft choices and free agent acquisitions — not all of which created
headlines.
During the Stanley Cup Final, Bowman sat down with
chicagoblackhawks.com for an extended interview. Here is Part 1:
Verdi: Rocky Wirtz, the chairman, said the other day that the Blackhawks
will not be forced to make roster changes similar to those that occurred
because of the salary cap following the 2009-10 season. Could you
elaborate?
Bowman: That's correct. The circumstances are different. Although the
salary cap will go down for 2013-14, we are in better shape now than we
were then because most of our players are signed. Not all, but most.
Remember, too, the last time we had three of our best players — Jonathan
Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith — who were going from around $1
million each to around $6 million each. When you have three guys who
each receive $5 million raises, that has a huge impact.
Verdi: But you do have some players you want to sign for new contracts
who deserve raises.
Bowman: Of course. We won't have the identical team next year that we
have now, but we have looked ahead. We have an idea what it will take to
sign the players we want to sign, but at this point, we don't know exactly.
Looking at our projections, we are optimistic that we will be able to keep the
players we want to keep.
Verdi: Are we to assume the same players you want to keep are the same
ones fans are worried about losing?
Bowman: Probably. Bryan Bickell is an unrestricted free agent. Nick Leddy
is restricted with no arbitration rights. Same as Marcus Kruger. When
players like the latter two have no arbitration rights, obviously the club that
has them has more leverage.
Verdi: Would it be fair to say Bickell is your primary concern?
Bowman: He's one. Ray Emery, Michal Rozsival and Viktor Stalberg are
also unrestricted. They all control their destiny. They can decide where they
want to play and for how much.
Verdi: OK, fans are worried that Bickell will get a huge offer from Team X
and be gone.
Bowman: Well, we're hoping not to let it get that far. He's our player until
free agency begins on July 1. And you can't sign a player before July 5. We
would like to get something done with Bryan before then, but we are not
negotiating now. We're in the Stanley Cup Final, and we want him to focus
on that. There will be time after that to negotiate.
Verdi: When Niklas Hjalmarsson was in a similar position as Leddy after
your 2010 Cup victory, he received an offer sheet from the San Jose
Sharks and you matched it. Could that scenario happen again?
Bowman: It's possible. We've talked to his agent in the past, and we
decided to wait until the playoffs are over. Same thing. We want our guys to
concentrate on the playoffs, and so do they.
Verdi: Both Bickell and Leddy have expressed a desire to stay with the
Blackhawks. Does that matter?
Bowman: I think so. We've got a good thing going here, and hopefully our
guys realize that. As for Bickell, we've come a long way with him. He's been
with us for seven years, and we've helped him develop. He's comfortable
here with the environment and his role, and he's certainly progressed as a
player. Of course, the dollar amount has to satisfy him, but our intent is to
offer a contract that will be to his liking. Our plan is to work with him before
free agency, as I said. He and his agent can take it, or they can decide to
wait.
Verdi: Why is the salary cap going down next year?
Bowman: It was negotiated in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. We had
a shortened season, so the revenues were less than you would have in a
regular season. If you went by the letter of the law, because the revenues
were down, the cap would be well below what it will be, which is $64.3
million. With a full season next year, it could go to $75 million. The cap this
year was $70.2 million, based on the previous season.
Verdi: But if you aren't playing games during a lockout, you aren't incurring
the cost of player salaries. So why does the cap go down?
Bowman: Because it's based on revenue. Hockey related revenue: HRR. If
you aren't playing games, you aren't taking in revenue. Again, if they had
stuck strictly to the formula after the lockout, the cap would have been
maybe $45 or $50 million. Obviously, that was an issue. So the number that
was negotiated turned out to be $64.3 million.
Verdi: After what happened following the 2010 Cup, you have done a
remarkable job of replenishing the roster. Three years ago, when we asked
you to name one player who nobody knew about, but who was on your
radar, you mentioned Kruger.
Bowman: Well, first of all, what we do here is not just me, but our staff.
Kruger, as you've seen, has become a very valuable player who has
contributed to our depth. He's probably destined to be unappreciated. He's
extremely smart, but his talent comes across in so many subtle ways. He
does a lot of dirty work that maybe people don't really notice until he's on a
stage like the Stanley Cup playoffs, but we see it throughout the year.
Everybody in the world is watching us now in June and raving about our
penalty killing. But Marcus has been doing that since January.
Verdi: You wouldn't look at Kruger and think of him as someone who does
the "dirty work."
Bowman: But if you know him, he's got great determination. He is very
focused for a young kid, which you don't always see. Very serious. I can't
stress how intelligent he is, as far as hockey goes. He has tremendous
instincts out there. We look at Brandon Saad as very mature for being so
young, but so is Marcus.
Editor's note: As part of an alliance with the Blackhawks, the Daily Herald
will offer occasional features by Team Historian Bob Verdi, who writes for
the team's website at www.chicagoblackhawks.com.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681948
Chicago Blackhawks
Sharp: We'll take Hossa at any percentage
Posted by TimS on Fri, 06/21/2013 - 12:57
Marian Hossa didn't practice on Friday, but Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville and his teammates expect him to play in Saturday's pivotal
Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against Boston at the United Center.
"I think he's going to play," linemate Patrick Sharp said. "He played last
game and I thought he played well. He wasn't at his best, but we'll take
Hoss at any percentage we can get. He makes so many good plays with
the puck and away from the puck."
Jamal Mayers took Hossa's spot at right wing on the second line with Sharp
and Michal Handzus at Friday's practice, but he also did that at the morning
skate on Monday before Game 4.
"Hossa is fine," Quenneville said.
There's been way too much panic over goalie Corey Crawford's play in
Game 4, won by the Hawks 6-5 in overtime, to the point where Quenneville
even was asked on Thursday if he might switch to Ray Emery.
Good for Quenneville for reacting to the question the way he did, dismissing
it and basically saying there was no chance of starting Emery.
Crawford remains the leading candidate for the Conn Smythe Trophy
should the Hawks win the Stanley Cup.
"I think the scrutiny of a goaltender during the season is at a different level
than any other player," Quenneville said Friday. "I guess it's even more out
there now that you're in the Finals. Corey just seems to move forward and
whatever the challenge is, the next shot or next game, he's excited about
the opportunity.
"He won a big game for us. We want to make sure we play strong in front of
him and don't give up as many quality chances as we did last game."
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681949
Chicago Blackhawks
What makes Bruins coach Julien tick?
By Mike Spellman
Lucic, Bergeron, Chara, Rask ... by now even the most casual Blackhawks
fans are quite familiar with most of the big-name, big-game players on the
Boston Bruins.
But what about the steady hand that has guided this team to within 2
victories of the Bruins' second Stanley Cup in three seasons?
What about coach Claude Julien?
At this time of year — make that any time of year — most coaches are
reluctant to talk about themselves, much preferring to talk about their
players and their team instead.
On the eve of Game 5, however, the Bruins coach talked a bit about what
makes him tick and how the landscape of the NHL has changed.
Here's some of what Julien had to say:
Personal approach towards coaching:
"I think a lot of that is being yourself. There's no doubt you have coaches
that you've looked up to and everything else, but to say you want to mold
yourself in regards to what they are I think is getting away from your
personality.
"I've always said I've got to be comfortable; in order to be comfortable I've
got to be myself. As a player I felt things. As a coach I kind of remember
those things."
The fine line:
"You are the coach. You are the guy that gives the directions. So it's a fine
line between respect and authority.
"I think you've got to respect your players because you want them to play
for you. But at the same time you're the authority figure that makes the
decisions, whether good decisions, tough decisions — whatever they may
be."
Honesty with players:
"Yeah, I believe in that. In my era, you had one coach, and he didn't have to
say much. But you didn't take that personally, you just went out and played.
If your sweater was hanging before the game or when you got to the rink, it
meant you played; if it wasn't, you didn't.
"He didn't have to have a conversation with you in the office and tell you
why you weren't or were or anything else, and you just accepted it that
way."
A new era:
"It's changed. Nowadays players want to know 'what can I do to get back in
the lineup?' and you evolve with time.
"Anybody who doesn't want to evolve with this game is not going to last."
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681950
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks Morning Skate Live to air on CSN
June 21, 2013, 9:00 pm
CSN Staff
The Blackhawks are back in Chicago, and that means the return of
"Morning Skate Live" on Comcast SportsNet and ChicagoBlackhawks.com.
"Morning Skate Live" presented by Athletico Physical Therapy will air at
10:30 a.m. Saturday morning, with puck drop for Game 5 between the
Blackhawks and Bruins at 7:00 p.m. on NBC.
John Wiedeman and Troy Murray will host the 30-minute broadcast, which
will include a full preview of that evening's game and interviews from the
bench. Fans can also interact through social media by using
#MorningSkateLive.
Daily Herald Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681951
Chicago Blackhawks
Boyle: Enjoying the Blackhawks' joy ride
This incredible ride is why sports are the best reality show going. I certainly
hope this drive ends with ticker tape on Michigan Ave. later this week. With
the finish line and “One Goal” so close, I just want to thank this team for a
journey I’ll never forget.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
I'm writing this now before the Cup is hoisted and my views are completely
blurred by the outcome.
I can't thank this Blackhawks team enough for taking me on one of the most
incredible joy rides a sports fan/broadcaster could ever experience.
This team reminded me why I loved playing this sport as a kid and why I
continue to believe that its postseason is the most difficult and drama-filled
in all of professional sports.
It started with a text from by boss at 5:40 am on Sunday, Jan. 6, "The NHL
lockout is over, how quickly can you get to work?"
I remember mumbling to myself, "Only the NHL would resolve its labor
dispute in the middle of the night, on a Sunday."
Like most fans, I was a little jaded by the work stoppage. Not to mention the
Blackhawks, who were first-round casualties the last two seasons. Let's just
say my commitment to the Indian was not at a level that Denis Savard
would have liked.
I remember talking briefly to Patrick Kane before the start of the 48-game
slate, wondering if he was ready for the off-ice maturation necessary to
become the face of the franchise that the Blackhawks wanted him to be.
Did his European sabbatical really help in this process? A few minutes into
the Los Angeles opener, any doubt was erased as Kane snapped a puck
into the back of the net from a bad angle and proceeded to play a huge role
in the Blackhawks' great start.
Patrick Sharp said before the season started that playing 10 of their first 12
on the road would bring this team together. Not even Sharp could have
dreamed this team would bond on and off the ice like it did and go on a
NHL-record start of 24 straight games without a regulation loss. While the
Blackhawks were bonding on the road, the same thing was going on with
their fans back in Chicago. The Hawks were playing every other night and
winning in just about every way possible.
Even when the team was dead tired and lifeless, Ray Emery turned in a
superhuman effort in Calgary, lifting the Hawks to one of their most
improbable regular season wins ever. I was hooked, all in, and I certainly
wasn't alone. Fans went from not being sure if they were going to watch
hockey, to record-breaking Blackhawks ratings on CSN every single night.
The lockout was a distant memory and even the four-letter network in
Bristol put Blackhawks highlights on SportsCenter. Lebron James was
tweeting at Kane and No. 88 was doing the same back at King James. We
had the top two teams in different sports giving each other props. It was at
this point that the target was placed on the back of the Indian Head
sweater, and it was Stanley Cup or bust.
The record start was done. The President’s trophy belonged to the Hawks.
But it would all be considered a big tease unless the Blackhawks made a
deep run in the playoffs.
The first round against Minnesota was hardly encouraging. The Hawks
faced a second- and third-string goalie in the Wild series. A couple went to
overtime and after taking care of Minnesota in five games, Joel Quenneville
looked like the losing coach at the podium saying his team needs to raise
their compete level.
The entire postseason changed when Detroit humbled the Hawks, 4-1, in
Game 2 of their series. The Blackhawks went on to lose three straight for
the first time this year. The team that had pulled in an entire city and,
according to Sports Illustrated, was "the franchise that brought hockey
back" was about to be labeled choke artists.
But that’s when this crazy ride really took an interesting turn. They came
back against Detroit, eventually winning a thrilling Game 7 in overtime. As
impressive as that was, I was even more impressed with their efforts in
Game 4 versus Boston.
The funeral was being planned in Chicago after a lethargic performance in
Game 3, but this resilient group turned in one of their most impressive
offensive showings all season in Game 4 of the Final. They bailed out the
guy, Corey Crawford, who had done the same to them countless times the
past five months.
681952
Chicago Blackhawks
Crawford, Hawks must step up defensive pressure
The sight was a bizarre scene, that Game 4: Pucks going in at a rapid rate,
great scoring opportunities piling up for each side, sheer offensive
madness.
What was strange was that this was happening between two very
defensive-minded teams in the Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins.
But happened, it did, as the teams’ defense and goaltending did their best
rendition of a Flyers-Penguins postseason game. While that Eastern
Conference rivalry features that every game, it’ll be very surprising of the
Blackhawks and Bruins trade scoring blows again like that in Game 5.
“You want to make sure it's going to be tight. You expect them to play tight,”
coach Joel Quenneville said. “They play with a purpose. We want to make
sure, defensively, there's a purpose there.
Offensively, we want to make sure we make them play on their end a little
bit more going into this game than the prior game, for sure.”
Yes, from an offensive point of view, each team would love to have that
wide-open game they enjoyed in Game 4. But these two squads are built on
defense, and the pride of performing in that category well. Chances are
Game 5 will look more like Games 1, 2 and 3 than they did the last one.
“I’d be very surprised if it would be a game like Game 4,” Michael Frolik
said. “For sure, as a team we don’t want to give up as many goals. It
doesn’t matter. The win counts and we just want one more goal than their
team. But I expect it to be a much tighter game.”
For the Blackhawks, they want to tighten up defensively overall. That
means a better performance by goaltender Corey Crawford, who had an off
night, mainly on his glove side. That means a better penalty kill, which has
been so strong most of the postseason but allowed two more to the Bruins
in Game 4. And that means everybody, from forwards to defensemen,
contributing on clamping things down.
“The first job is to play good defense and limit their scoring chances, but
that comes through the team defense, not just the defensemen or the
goalies,” Duncan Keith said. “That can’t get overlooked. All five guys back,
going hard in the puck area, that’s what we want to do.”
Oh, and that puck-control game they like to play doesn’t hurt, either.
“What we think the best defense is, is a good offense. Having the puck and
making them defend is what we try to do,” Quenneville said. “Forcing the
puck up ice as quickly as possible and have five guys basically in an area
where they're all together, offensively or defensively, when the time arises
and very active D on the offensive side of things.”
The Blackhawks could get past the too-many scoring opportunities and
goals allowed in Game 4 because they won Game 4. But they know they’re
playing with fire if it happens again. Either team is, really, considering what
the other possesses in offensive firepower. Chances are they won’t be
giving each other the chance to display it that much again.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
681953
Chicago Blackhawks
Leddy focused on being ready for more minutes
Nick Leddy dealt with the fewer minutes in Game 4 the only way he could:
by staying alert and being ready for when the call did come.
But the calls didn’t come very often for the Chicago Blackhawks
defenseman that night. After being such a big part of the team’s defensive
core this season, he spent most of Game 4 on the bench. He’s dealing with
it, and going forward, he’ll be ready to do what he can to increase those
minutes.
Leddy played just two minutes, 37 seconds in Game 4, by far his lowest
total in some time, in the Blackhawks’ 6-5 overtime victory over the Boston
Bruins. Coach Joel Quenneville said it had more to do with how the game
was going than anything else, and that Leddy will be used more in Game 5.
“I think we expect Nick to get back to playing more in tomorrow's game,”
Quenneville said. “I think as the game progressed last game, not getting
him out there against the match-up that we were looking for was there, too.
Then late in the game we didn't go there. I thought the five guys in our
rotation were getting the job done.”
Leddy is at his best when he’s moving with speed. When he’s shown that,
he’s been very noticeable. He hasn’t had the best postseason after a great
regular season, and needs to show those regular-season traits more to get
back on track.
“Nick’s got some nice assets, and I think quickness, getting up in the attack
and turning pucks from defense to offense right away is one of his
strengths,” Quenneville said. “In the puck area, make sure we're killing
plays and defending quickly in the puck area and eliminating players with a
puck possession game by them in their zone; (that’s) what we're looking for.
But at the same time, Nick gives us a nice presence on the back end and
gives us nice balance.”
As far as those diminished Game 4 minutes, Leddy dealt with it. But it
wasn’t easy.
[WATCH: Boden, Myers preview Game 5]
“I think it could’ve been just how the game is going. But my focus isn’t on
that; it’s just more on being ready,” he said. “(It’s difficult). You’re sitting
there and obviously you want to be out there playing. You just have to stay
with it.”
One noticeable aspect of the Blackhawks is their close-knit relationship with
each other, and Leddy’s gotten support from his teammates.
“It's not easy to keep your confidence, go out there and be prepared for the
next shift, or to go and do your job when maybe you haven't been on the ice
for quite a while,” Jonathan Toews said. “There are some guys that maybe
get their minutes or their opportunities reduced here and there, guys like
(Viktor Stalberg) and (Leddy). You try to talk to those guys, (tell them) just
to stay with it because when they're out there, they can really make a
difference for us.”
Andrew Shaw, a good friend of Leddy’s, also told him to stick with it.
“You have to move on from it,” Shaw said. “It’s something that happened
and you do what you can control. You can control how hard you work when
you’re out there. That’s why I let him know, ‘It’s happened to me.’ It’s just a
rough patch and you just get yourself through it.”
Leddy had a breakthrough regular season. He handled himself well in every
situation, from defense to power-play time to switching defensive partners
between Michal Rozsival and Sheldon Brookbank. He’s struggling at the
moment, but if he taps into what he did through the first 48 games, he could
rebound quickly.
“Every game is different,” Quenneville said. “He can move the puck and
defend and do what we need him to do to get involved in the attack, as well,
offensively. We’ll look forward to getting him more involved, as well,
tomorrow.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
681954
Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks 'leaning on' Hossa for Game 5
Marian Hossa’s absence at Friday’s practice was hardly shocking. And as
of now, he’s expected to be in the lineup for Game 5 tomorrow night.
Hossa did not practice but Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville
said Hossa is “fine” as the team returned to prepare for Game 5 of the
Stanley Cup Final against the Boston Bruins. Jamal Mayers, who skated on
the Blackhawks’ second line at Game 4’s morning skate in Boston, was
there with Patrick Sharp and Michal Handzus.
Hossa didn’t play in Game 3 and played just over 19 minutes of Game 4.
Hossa admitted after the game that he was “so-so;” he did record six shots
on goal and post an assist on Patrick Sharp’s power-play goal.
But anyone who saw him play in Game 4 knows Hossa wasn’t playing at his
usual Hossa level. His skating was slower than normal and he left the
bench at least twice during the game. So it was no surprise that Hossa was
getting Friday as a rest/recovery day.
As for his on-ice work, something, if he’s physically able to do it, is better
than nothing.
“I think the one thing about Hossa, production offensively or responsibility
defensively, complementing our team game in all facets of the game is what
we look for,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “That consistency of what he
brings day in, day out to our game is what makes him a special player and
a valuable addition to our team.”
Hossa didn’t log much penalty killing time in Game 4, something that’s
always part of his game. But Quenneville said he’ll probably see more, all
around, in Game 5.
“I think that all areas we're going to be leaning on him,” Quenneville said.
“No matter where we put him, you know he's going to get the job done. So I
think we would expect him to be feeling a lot more comfortable, even going
into tomorrow's game.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
681955
Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' confidence in Crawford still as high as ever
The goals that zoomed past Corey Crawford were a little too high in
quantity for his or the Blackhawks’ liking. Those five goals were also
passing him around the same spot, either above or below the glove that
didn’t catch enough of them against the Boston Bruins in Game 4.
Crawford’s mindset during that frustrating time was, “Just stay with it, just
stay with it.” He did, stopping enough through the end of the third period
and overtime to give the Blackhawks a chance to win, which they did on
Brent Seabrook’s seeing-eye shot midway through overtime.
But in the ensuing hours and following day, the questions that hadn’t come
up all postseason came up: Is Crawford OK? Do the Blackhawks still
believe he can push through? The answers were a resounding yes and yes.
True, Crawford had a very off night Wednesday, something that’s been rare
for him this postseason. It was almost costly, if it weren’t for Bruins goalie
Tuukka Rask giving up one more than he did at the end. But a goalie
change? The Blackhawks can’t fathom it.
“No, not at all; we're very comfortable with
Corey,” head coach Joel
Quenneville said. “Corey has been rock solid all year for us and when he's
got the
ball, he's been outstanding. And he's the biggest reason why
we're here today.”
Crawford has been great all postseason and even with last night’s bad
game he’s not far behind Rask in goals-against average (1.83 for Rask,
1.86 for Crawford). But this is the life of a goaltender: have a bad game,
especially at this stage and your previous bad postseason games come up
again. Those first 20 postseason games, the ones in which he went 13-7
and helped the Blackhawks win the first three series, don’t get brought up
as much.
The Blackhawks, however, remember them well.
“He's
had that maturity and that character all year that he's been able to
bounce back,” Jonathan Toews said. “But to be honest with you, I don't
really see anything terribly wrong with the way he played last night.
Maybe some of the shots from far out that went in overshadowed some of
the stops that he did make, and for the
most part I think as forwards we
can maybe be a little more responsible and getting in shooting lanes the
way they would against us and some of the
shots that we take that
maybe don't go through that they ended up scoring on. I'm not too
worried about how he's going to play in the next game.”
Perhaps the Blackhawks could’ve helped more, but Crawford needed to
stop more of those glove-side shots. He is not, however, the first
Blackhawks goaltender to have a tough Stanley Cup Final game. As Chris
Boden pointed out in our post-practice wrap Thursday, Antti Niemi gave up
five goals on 32 shots in Game 1 against the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010.
Don’t know how many bad goals there were in there, but he nevertheless
allowed five. He rebounded nicely.
Crawford definitely had a bad game, and definitely knew where he
struggled most.
“Yeah, it’s pretty obvious,” Crawford said of that glove side. “I’m just going
to keep playing my game, prepare the way I have and play the way I play. I
can’t start thinking they’re going to go glove every time. If they end up
switching it up then I’m in trouble.”
There’s no doubt Crawford needs to be better in Game 5. The Blackhawks
believe he will be.
“He was still good, he still made a bunch of saves, it’s just one of those
games where pucks were going in on both sides,” Patrick Sharp said.
“Corey’s fine.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
681956
Chicago Blackhawks
Seabrook's true demeanor shines through
“What are you thinking about?”
Jonathan Toews thought he answered that question from friend, teammate
and early career roommate Brent Seabrook, until he looked at the Chicago
Blackhawks’ defenseman and realized he hadn’t given the desired
response.
“What are you thinking about?”
“He looked at me again and I realized what he wanted me to say, and I
snapped back and said, ‘Scoring goals,’” Toews said.
In Game 4, the thought turned to reality for Toews, who scored his second
goal of the postseason, a moment that drew an inner “Finally” from him. For
Toews, Seabrook’s pep talk was beneficial. And while those types of
leadership stories starring Seabrook aren’t shared often, the Blackhawks
say Seabrook displays that type of leadership very often.
Seabrook once again came through with the big goal on Wednesday night,
the game-winner that helped the Blackhawks tie their Stanley Cup Final
series with Boston at 2-2. Those clutch performances have again become
part of Seabrook’s game, which he admits wasn’t where it needed to be
early this postseason. But taking a leadership role has apparently never
been a problem.
“He always has,” Toews said. “He’s probably one of the louder guys before
the game in the locker room, in between periods. He's always getting the
guys going. I think that's part of his ritual to get himself going, that he wants
to be vocally involved and just get that positive feeling, that excited feeling
going for the boys. Obviously he's tried to do the same for me. It was a big
night for
the two of us last night.”
Seabrook’s been there before for Toews – he calmed the captain down
during a multi-penalty flurry in a second-round game against Detroit. But
he’s one more core leader for this team in general; a player who is softspoken to the media but apparently can raise the decibels inside that locker
room.
“He's one of the guys that doesn't wear a letter but he's definitely a big part
of our leadership group,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “Even at a young
age here, five years going back, he was probably the one voice that you
heard a lot in the locker room and probably the most on the bench or
around even practice or game time or preparing between periods.”
Seabrook’s play has elevated throughout the postseason. Struggling
through the Minnesota series and the first part of the Detroit one,
Quenneville re-paired Seabrook with longtime defensive partner Duncan
Keith. It worked; besides the minutes going back up, Seabrook scored
another big-game winner, the Game 7 overtime clincher vs. the Red Wings.
“I think he got excited about getting back playing with Duncan and getting
more ice time,” Quenneville said. “And I think his game responded
accordingly.”
As for his penchant for big goals lately, Seabrook just said it was a
byproduct of firing away.
“You know, I've just been shooting the puck to be completely honest,” he
said. “You get a chance, you get a lane and you try and put it on net, and
they've gone in. I don't think I've got ice in my veins or anything like that. I'm
just playing a game.”
And the longer the game goes, that seems to help as well.
“I love overtime,” he said. “I think it's such a great part of the game,
especially in the playoffs when you play until one team scores. I think it's
such an exciting part of the game.”
Seabrook got the answer he was looking for from Toews. In turn, Toews got
the results he was looking for from himself. Seabrook’s game has gotten
back on track. His leadership and voice, be it with Toews or anyone else,
has always been there.
“I think he’s the one guy who usually says, or you hear him, the most,”
Quenneville said. “He always says the right things, and he's a great
teammate, a great competitor.”
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
681957
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets: Prospal heads home as talks stall
By Aaron Portzline
The Columbus Dispatch Friday June 21, 2013 5:04 AM
Vinny Prospal and his family are flying home to the Czech Republic today.
He doesn’t know when — or if — he will return.
Prospal, the Blue Jackets’ leading scorer this season, can become an
unrestricted free agent on July 5, but he already is in a state of limbo.
“I want to come back,” Prospal said. “I want to be in Columbus. But I don’t
know what’s going to happen. I’ve reached out to the club a couple of times,
and they’ve told me they’ll let me know a couple of times, but I received
nothing. I don’t know if that’s supposed to tell me something or what.”
The Blue Jackets are juggling a lot of balls, John Davidson, the team’s
president of hockey operations, said last week. The re-signing of restricted
free-agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has taken center stage, with his
agent, Paul Theofanous, arriving in town for talks this week.
Also, the Blue Jackets have three first-round picks in next week’s draft, and
they are one of the few NHL clubs with an abundance of space under the
salary cap. That could come in handy, either in free agency or in acquiring
players that other teams will be forced to unload to get under the cap.
That all makes sense to Prospal, 38, but it doesn’t make it any easier to
swallow. He’s a proud, accomplished player with 1,108 NHL games, and he
wants to keep playing, in Columbus or elsewhere.
Three weeks ago, Prospal put his family’s belongings in storage and moved
from their rented home in Upper Arlington.
“This may sound dumb, but what am I supposed to do?” Prospal said. “I can
only let my actions on the ice and in the room the last two years say it for
me. And I’m proud of what I’ve been able to contribute to the team.
“Maybe I should have scored more goals. Maybe I should have scored
more points. Maybe I should have done more to get us into the playoffs. For
all the good things, we still didn’t make the playoffs. Maybe that’s the
thinking, I don’t know.”
Prospal has played in each of the Blue Jackets’ 130 games since he joined
the team as a free agent in 2011. He’s their leading scorer in that span, with
28 goals and 57 assists. This season, he had 12 goals, 18 assists and a
plus-3 rating in 48 games.
“I’m the guy who led the team in scoring,” Prospal said, “but I’m also the old
guy here.”
Prospal had a “gentleman’s agreement” in 2011 with former general
manager Scott Howson in which he would play under a one-year contract
until he was ready to retire, at which time he would join the front office in a
to-be-determined capacity. Prospal said he was told by Davidson that the
agreement would be honored.
“I was one of the guys who didn’t want to leave here in the middle of (201112),” Prospal said. “I committed to the organization during the dark days of
the (franchise), and I’m so glad I did.”
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 06.22.2013
681958
Dallas Stars
New school vs. old school: Which Star is the better rapper, Jamie Benn or
Mike Modano?
By SPORTSDAYDFW.COM
Published: 21 June 2013 07:41 PM
Updated: 21 June 2013 07:41 PM
It's not East Coast vs. West Coast, Tupac vs. Biggy, or even the Jay Z vs.
the Game, but the Stars could have themselves a rapper beef.
Mike Modano was on New School's Yo! Roger Raps! segment on 105.3 FM
The Fan on last week, delivering a less than stellar performance of 50
Cent's "In Da Club."
This week, Jamie Benn came with his rendition of LL Cool J's classic
"Mama Said Knock You Out."
We put the the task of squashing this emerging beef once and for all to you.
Who's the better rapper?
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681959
Dallas Stars
'No Goal,' Lindy Ruff? 'It all worked out great for Dallas'
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 21 June 2013 01:05 PM
Updated: 21 June 2013 02:51 PM
New Stars coach Lindy Ruff played along with the question everyone
wanted asked Friday.
The former coach of the Buffalo Sabres was jovial and joking when asked if
Brett Hull's disputed Cup-winning goal in 1999 against his team was indeed
a legal goal.
"How did I know that was going to be the first question?," Ruff joked.
"Again, it's a long time ago. I said to Jim (Nill) when I first agreed to meet
with him, `I'll meet with you but we can't meet in the crease."
Still, the question did provide some good insight into Ruff. He made a point
that he was passionate about that play and about defending the Sabres at
the time, and he'll be just as passionate about the Stars.
"I've had some great memories. I've gotten past that," he said. "I'm a coach.
I want to coach and I think this is an unbelievable opportunity. It all worked
out great for Dallas. It didn't work out so good for us back then. I can tell
you one thing, that same emotion and same passion will be here in Dallas if
the same type of thing happens or anything similar because that's the fire I
have and that's what you can look forward to."
Ruff was a bit wistful about the six-game series that ended in triple
overtime, and said that it was a great battle.
"It was a helluva a series, and we had them beat up," he said. "It was a
series you're never going to forget."
When pushed on the "No goal" talk again, he said: "That was a long time
ago, you guys gotta let that go. The league said it was a goal."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681960
Dallas Stars
Lindy Ruff discusses new job: 'It's my first kick at going through this'
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 21 June 2013 02:29 PM
Updated: 21 June 2013 02:47 PM
Lindy Ruff:
Opening statement:
"First of all, I'd like to thank Mr. Gaglardi and Jim Nill for this unbelievable
opportunity. I'm really excited and really looking forward to helping this club
with their resurgence. After sitting down with Jim [Nill] several times and
going through the process, I realized that we had a very committed owner.
We had a real strong management that was all on the same page and this
team was similar to where I was at with our team on several occasions.
We're real excited to be part of it. I think we've got a good, young team, a
good, talented young team that I am really looking forward to working with
and helping them get back in the playoffs and win a Stanley Cup."
On if he can admit Brett Hull scored a legal goal in the '99 Finals after 14
years
"How did I know that was going to be the first question? Again, it's a long
time ago. I said to Jim (Nill) when I first agreed to meet with him, I'll meet
with you but we can't meet in the crease. I've had some great memories.
I've gotten past that. I'm a coach. I want to coach and I think this is an
unbelievable opportunity. It all worked out great for Dallas. It didn't work out
so good for us back then. I can tell you one thing, that same emotion and
same passion will be here in Dallas if the same type of thing happens or
anything similar because that's the fire I have and that's what you can look
forward to. And I think that I was young at the time, emotional. I let it all
hang out. I still have a lot of emotion when it comes to coaching and back
then, I think you saw it too."
On what it is like changing to a new organization after all these years:
"No, I've really had seven months to think about it. Coached at the World
Championships this year and just realized how much I miss the game.
When you coach for that number of years and in the same place, the
exciting part for me is in talking to a lot of other coaches, from former
coaches here to coaches that have gone from organization to organization
how it revitalized them, energized them. I'm excited about the personnel
here that I'm working with. I'm excited about the ownership. I'm excited
about working with Jim [Nill] and all his experiences that he had in Detroit. It
was just a real good fit. Do I have questions? Sure, I've got questions. It's
my first kick at going through this. I called one coach and he just said to me,
I'll send you the manual. I've had a couple times. I think there is so right or
wrong way."
On what it takes to stay in a place as long as he was in Buffalo
"I think an adaptability because the team changed. I've been through almost
every type of circumstance, from being bankrupt, being run by the league, a
defensive team, a top offensive team for a couple years, a President's
Trophy team. So there's an adaptability there. I think first and foremost, it'll
be a relationship that Jim and I have that we create and the relationship
with the management team and ownership of being all on the same page
and that leads to stability."
On what the hallmarks of his team are
"Well again, I think I mentioned the adaptability. I've had different teams.
I've had teams that were good defensively. I've had teams that have been
top offensive teams. I think some of it is based a little bit on personnel.
Probably the one thing is trying to set the bar high enough and hold the
players accountable to get them to a certain place where you can have
success but knowing that it's always in reach. The type of style that we've
played has always been, it's been a real hard, up-tempo game. There's a lot
of energy inside of it."
Jim Nill:
Opening statement
"On behalf of the Dallas Stars, I'd like to welcome everyone to the AAC.
Back in May when we started our search for a head coach, we sat down
with our management team and ownership team to put down the attributes
of what we wanted in a head coach. And those attributes it was experience,
credibility, stability, great knowledge of the game, person that's been in
different situations, the highs and lows and a good family person on and off
the ice. As we went through the search, the first person I interviewed, I went
through his resume and he was my first interview. I noticed 12th-winningest
head coach in NHL history with 571 wins, one of only 17 coaches to ever
reach 500-victory plateau, third-most wins of any active coach in NHL
today, eight postseason appearances, four trips to the Eastern Conference
Final, 1999 Stanley Cup Final, won Jack Adams Award once, nominated
another time, experience at the international level, won a Gold Medal in the
Olympics and prior to leaving the team he was with, second longest-tenured
coach in the NHL as well as second-longest in all of pro sports. So we sat
down and all these attributes were kind of checked off. I'm very happy today
to welcome everyone to the start of Lindy Ruff's career here. We're looking
excitedly to a very long tenure here and very excited to have him here.
Lindy, congratulations."
On if he sees stability in Ruff's background
"Well, when Lindy and I first met, we walked through that. He asked me the
same question, why did I change? And I said you know what, it was time
and I told him it energizes you. When we met again, I could see the fire in
his eyes and he's ready to go. That's what really excited me when I talked
to him and I know I've got a coach still with great experience, but I know
he's energized. He's back and that's exciting for this Dallas organization."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681961
Dallas Stars
Lindy Ruff introduced as Dallas Stars coach, accepting 'unbelievable
opportunity'
The Associated Press
Published: 21 June 2013 08:38 AM
Updated: 21 June 2013 07:19 PM
Lindy Ruff is the new coach of the Stars, the team that clinched its only
Stanley Cup championship on a goal he has always questioned.
Ruff was hired Friday by the Stars, 14 years after he joined thousands of
Buffalo fans in the chant of “No goal!” in the aftermath of Brett Hull’s Cupclinching shot late in the third overtime of Game 6 in the 1999 Stanley Cup
finals.
“It’s a long time ago,” Ruff said after being introduced. “I’ve had some great
memories. I’ve gotten past that. I’m a coach, I want to coach, and this is an
unbelievable opportunity.”
That was the Sabres’ only Stanley Cup appearance under Ruff, in his
second season as Buffalo’s coach.
While the Stars celebrated the title, Ruff questioned whether the goal
should have been allowed for Hull’s skate being in the goalie’s crease
before having control of the puck.
Ruff joked Friday that when he first agreed to meet with new Stars GM Jim
Nill about the job that his only stipulation was, “we can’t meet in the crease.”
It was 14 years ago Thursday that Game 6 ended in the early morning —
more than 15 minutes into the third overtime.
Ruff coached 15 seasons for the Buffalo Sabres before being fired in
February. He was the NHL’s longest active-serving coach with one team.
Ruff was the first significant hire for Nill, the longtime Detroit Red Wings
assistant GM who signed a five-year deal in April to replace the fired Joe
Nieuwendyk.
Nill said when he started the search, the attributes that he was looking for in
a coach included experience, credibility and knowledge.
“All these attributes were checked off,” Nill said.
Two weeks after Nill was hired, he decided not to renew the third-year
option for coach Glen Gulutzan.
The Stars missed the playoffs for the fifth season in a row, the longest
postseason drought in team history. They were 22-22-4 last season, last in
the Pacific Division.
Since Ruff still had two seasons left on his contract with Buffalo, the Stars
had to get permission from the Sabres to talk to the 53-year-old coach.
Ruff was the Sabres’ winningest coach (571-432-162), but was fired after
Buffalo got off to a 6-10-1 in this year’s NHL lockout-shortened season.
There had been 170 NHL coaching changes between his hiring in July 1997
and the time he was fired.
Under Ruff, the Sabres made the playoffs in each of his first four seasons
and eight times overall. They made the Eastern Conference finals in 2006
and 2007.
As a player, Ruff was selected in the second round of the 1979 draft by the
Sabres and made the team that year. He was later the Sabres’ captain,
playing for Buffalo until being traded to the New York Rangers in 1989.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681962
Dallas Stars
New York Rangers announce hiring of Stars coaching candidate Alain
Vigneault
Associated Press
Published: 21 June 2013 12:44 PM
Updated: 21 June 2013 12:53 PM
NEW YORK — One week after Alain Vigneault emerged as the leading
coaching candidate, the New York Rangers hired him Friday to replace the
fired John Tortorella.
Vigneault agreed to a five-year contract. He was introduced during a news
conference at Radio City Music Hall.
Vigneault was the choice of team president and general manager Glen
Sather from a group that included former Rangers captain Mark Messier.
Vigneault interviewed at the club’s organizational meetings in California last
week and then met with owner James Dolan in New York.
Vigneault was dismissed as coach of the Vancouver Canucks on May 22
after seven years behind their bench.
Tortorella spent 4 1-2 seasons with the Rangers and was fired May 29, four
days after New York was eliminated by Boston in the second round of the
playoffs.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681963
Dallas Stars
Heika: In Lindy Ruff, Dallas Stars' second choice might be the right one
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 21 June 2013 09:49 AM
Updated: 21 June 2013 06:23 PM
The Dallas Stars wanted to hire Alain Vigneault. I don't think there's any
doubt to that.
He was their first choice, and they were disappointed when he picked the
New York Rangers over them. But, Stars GM Jim Nill is a big believer in
faith and destiny, and that might be the best place to look when considering
the hiring of Lindy Ruff today. Bottom line, Ruff and Nill just seem to fit
together.
Ruff is from Warburg, Alberta. Nill is from Hannah, Alberta. Ruff is 53. Nill is
55. Ruff spent 10 seasons as a player with the Buffalo Sabres and returned
to coach for another 15 seasons. Nill spent the last four seasons of his
playing career in the Red Wings organization and then later returned to
spend almost two decades in administration as a scout and assistant
general manager.
That says something. It says something about their people skills, it says
something about their preferences, it says something about their ability.
Usually, you stay in a job because you're good at it, and these guys stayed
in jobs for a long time.
So should we be worried that both are moving onto something different, that
maybe this "new challenge" might reveal some cracks in the armor that
were hidden by their comfort level in their old posts? Possibly. Nill had
choices and was more than ready for the next step. He just had to pick the
right place, and he's confident that this is it. That has to make Stars fans
feel pretty good. Reports are he has come at this with all sorts of energy
and ideas in just a couple of months on the job. This is the opportunity he's
been preparing for his entire life.
Ruff is a bit different. He bleeds Sabres' colors. he was fired in February
after a 6-10-1 start. His teams missed the playoffs in seven of the past 11
seasons (this one included, even though he didn't finish the year). This is
not so much of a choice, he is being forced to change.
But sometimes good things come out of forced changes. While Ruff could
get along with anyone, he might not find a better match in the GM chair
than Jim Nill. While there is a rich irony that Ruff will make his next step
with an organization that was on the other side of the ice for the defining
spot in his NHL coaching career, and he will have to deal with the "No Goal"
talk as long as he is here, this is not the same Stars organization. They
have done more than just change uniforms, they have changed ownership
and leadership, and they are ready to go onto the next stage.
That's a good thing.
Nill's history in Detroit is with strong two-way players and organizational
depth. You rarely saw Henrik Zetterberg or Pavel Datsyuk, or even Sergei
Fedorov or Steve Yzerman before them, among the leaders in average time
on ice. Sure, Nick Lidstrom played a ton, but he was an exception. The Red
Wings asked centers to play wing, they asked scorers to check, they asked
checkers to score. They mixed as much as any team in the league.
Likewise, Ruff has used balance in his lines while in Bufflao. Some criticize
him for it, but he clearly is a coach who wants players to play both sides of
the ice and to be ready to play in every situation.
At the very least, these two seem to be on the same philosophical page,
hockeywise.
That seems like a good fit for young Stars forwards like Jamie Benn, Loui
Eriksson, Radek Faksa, Alex Chiasson and Cody Eakin. It could be even
more important for young Stars forwards like Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser
and Brett Ritchie. There will be a lot of teaching about defensive
responsibility in the years ahead.
Of course, they also seem to be on the same philosophical page lifewise.
They are laid back, but serious. They are hard-working, but compassionate.
They are driven by their own pride and by their pride in their organization.
Nill said he would like this to be his last job, and he is serious about that. He
said he wanted to find a coach who would share the ride with him, and he
also is serious about that.
Now, you might say that a couple of weeks ago, that coach seemed to be
Alain Vigneault, so doesn't that taint the selection of Ruff a little bit? Yeah, it
probably does. But sometimes the second choice is the right choice. And at
least on the surface today, Nill appears to have found a very similar
horseman to take this journey with him.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681964
Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars players sound off on new coach Lindy Ruff: 'I definitely like his
style'
Kevin Sherrington
ksherrington@dallasnews.com
Published: 21 June 2013 11:59 PM
Updated: 22 June 2013 12:07 AM
Trevor Daley was motoring into Chicago on a summer road trip when he
answered his cellphone and started talking about new Stars coach Lindy
Ruff.
"I'm sitting next to Steve Ott, and he said he's a great guy and a great
coach, so that's good enough for me," Daley said.
Ott, the former Stars player, played 17 games under Ruff in Buffalo last
season and told Daley that he believes the Stars are in good hands.
"I think when a guy is in one place for that many years, it says something
about him," Daley said of Ruff's 15 seasons with the Sabres. "It's hard to be
a coach in the NHL and it's hard to keep a job, and he's seen it all. I think
that experience can really help us."
Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas played for Ruff on Team Canada in
the World Championships this spring. While Canada didn't medal, Robidas
said he was impressed with Ruff's demeanor and how he prepared the
team on short notice.
"I definitely like his style," Robidas said. "He's no-nonsense, work hard, get
right at it. I like that."
Former Stars assistant coach Stu Barnes played for Ruff in Florida, where
Ruff was an assistant coach, and in Buffalo. He said the Stars are getting a
good "players' coach" who has a little bite to him.
"He's a good relationship guy, has a good personality, he's easy to talk to,"
Barnes said. "But on the other side of it, he sets the bar very high. It's a
two-way street. If you're willing to come in and work and do the things that
you need to do to play a team game, then he's on your side and he's going
to help you do everything you can. Work and team effort is the No. 1 thing
that's demanded of him."
Ruff said he will reach out to all of the players for phone conversations in
the coming days.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681965
Dallas Stars
New Dallas Stars coach Lindy Ruff an early adopter of hockey analytics
Kevin Sherrington
ksherrington@dallasnews.com
Published: 22 June 2013 12:01 AM
Updated: 22 June 2013 12:07 AM
Lindy Ruff said he believes in analytics and puck possession. Among the
big numbers in analytics are determining shot attempts for and against
while a player is on the ice at even strength, or "Corsi." In the past four
seasons, the Stars have been a negative Corsi team, and they would like to
get back to positive numbers when it comes to shots for and shots against.
"Puck possession is a big deal," Ruff said Friday. "Ideally, if you can have
good puck possession into the zone and in the zone, it usually forces the
other team into get it out, get it in and change, and you get to come the
other way. It's a tough style, a demanding style. The players have to make
the right decisions."
As for analytics or studying inside numbers, Ruff said: "I've used a lot of
different analytics. I even tried to create some of my own last year - how
they compete in one-on-one battles, how they compete for possession of
the puck. We were pretty big for all the analytics."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681966
Dallas Stars
With hard part over, Dallas Stars and Lindy Ruff move on to next step of
filling out coaching staff
Kevin Sherrington
ksherrington@dallasnews.com
Published: 22 June 2013 12:02 AM
Updated: 22 June 2013 12:07 AM
With the search for a head coach completed, Ruff said he will begin looking
for an assistant.
"That's the next step, but I really haven't even started," Ruff said.
The Stars have retained assistant coach Curt Fraser, who worked with
forwards last season, but they released Paul Jerrard, who worked with
defensemen. James Patrick served as Ruff's assistant coach in charge of
defensemen from 2006 in Buffalo and was let go by the Sabres at the end
of the season, so he would be a leading candidate to join the Stars staff.
"That's Lindy's call, so we'll see what he wants to do," said Stars general
manager Jim Nill.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681967
Dallas Stars
Heika: Lindy Ruff attempting rebirth at place that celebrates his greatest
loss; 'Maybe the stars really are aligning'
“And while that [Buffalo] team had good players on it, like Stu Barnes and
Dominik Hasek, I think we had better personnel. But they were coached like
crazy by Lindy Ruff, and I don’t think anyone would disagree with that. I
think getting him now, that’s a perfect situation for us.”
Follow Mike Heika on Twitter at @MikeHeika
IN THE KNOW
By MIKE HEIKA
Lindy Ruff
Staff Writer
Age: 53. Born Feb. 17, 1960, in Warburg, Alberta.
mheika@dallasnews.com
Playing career: 691 NHL games with Sabres and Rangers. Tallied 300
points (105 goals, 195 assists) and 1,264 penalty minutes.
Published: 21 June 2013 11:02 PM
Updated: 21 June 2013 11:02 PM
Lindy Ruff embraced the irony of the moment Friday afternoon.
The new Stars head coach was hired on the 14th anniversary of the Stars
winning the Stanley Cup — a night when he was standing on the other
bench as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. He is the 22nd head coach in
the history of the Stars franchise, and he wore No. 22 as a player.
“There’s just a lot of strange coincidences,” Ruff said. “Maybe the stars
really are aligning.”
Stars fans can expect more of that kind of humor from the veteran bench
boss, 53. He handled the “No Goal” controversy from the 1999 finals with
aplomb, and he even turned it into a moment where he could make a point
about who he is. Ruff played 10 seasons for the Sabres and then coached
15 more. In 1999, Brett Hull’s series-winning goal in triple overtime of Game
6 was disputed because the Sabres protested that Hull had his skate in the
crease — a move that was against the rules in 1999.
Ruff was a leader of the “No Goal” cheers in Buffalo that went on for years,
and he was asked Friday if he now had to say that, yes, it was a goal.
“How did I know that was going to be the first question?” he said with a
smirk. “The league said it was a goal.”
Then, he added: “I’ve gotten past that. I’m a coach, I want to coach, and I
think this is an unbelievable opportunity. I can tell you one thing, that same
emotion and same passion will be here in Dallas if the same type of thing
happens, because that’s the fire I have and that’s what you can look
forward to.”
And that’s something the Stars could use right now. They have missed the
playoffs for five straight seasons, they are on their fourth GM and fourth
coach since 2006. They are trying to move into a new era. Much of that
change started when Tom Gaglardi bought the team in 2011 and brought in
president Jim Lites. The next step was taken in April when new general
manager Jim Nill was hired away from Detroit. Now, the change can start in
earnest, as a new coach can begin to mold a style.
“I definitely think that makes a difference, because the coaches are down in
the trenches and they see things that we don’t see,” Nill said. “Lindy is part
of the team now, and he’s going to have a say in how we build and go
forward, and that’s exciting to me.”
And, as for Ruff, he too is excited by a fresh start. He was 571-432-162 in
Buffalo and took the Sabres to four Eastern Conference finals. However, he
was fired after a 6-10-1 start this season and has spent the time since
February thinking about getting a new start.
“When you coach for that number of years and in the same place, the
exciting part for me is in talking to a lot of other coaches — coaches that
have gone from organization to organization — and they talk about how it
revitalized them, energized them,” Ruff said. “I’m excited about the
personnel here that I’m working with. I’m excited about the ownership. I’m
excited about working with Jim [Nill] and all his experiences that he had in
Detroit. It was just a real good fit.”
Is it ironic that Ruff might find his rebirth in a place that celebrates his
greatest coaching loss? Sure, but maybe that’s what was in the stars, so to
speak.
Stars president Jim Lites said the team had a pretty good idea what kind of
coach Ruff was dating all the way back to 1999.
“I thought back in 1999, the Dallas Stars had an unbelievable team, and but
for a disputed call, we might not have won the Stanley Cup,” Lites said.
Coaching career: Served as assistant coach for four seasons with the
Florida Panthers, including a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996. …
Served as head coach of Buffalo Sabres for 15 seasons, including four trips
to the Eastern Conference finals and one trip to the Stanley Cup Finals in
1999. Buffalo lost to Dallas that season. Had a 571-432-162 record (.559
winning percentage) in Buffalo. … His 571 wins rank 12th all-time in NHL
coaching history. … Won Jack Adams Award for coach of the year in 2006.
… Was an associate coach for Canada’s gold medal Olympic team in 2010.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681968
Dallas Stars
Lindy Ruff officially named Dallas Stars coach
Posted Friday, Jun. 21, 2013
By Travis L. Brown
Special to the Star-Telegram
DALLAS — A day after the 14-year anniversary of former Dallas Star Brett
Hull’s controversial Stanley Cup-winning goal against the Buffalo Sabres,
the coach of that Sabres team was introduced as coach of the Stars.
Naturally, the triple overtime goal that was made controversial by the
presence of Hull’s skate in the Buffalo crease was still a talking point during
negotiations to bring Lindy Ruff to Dallas.
“I said to Jim [Nill] when I first agreed to meet with him, ‘I’ll meet with you,
but we can’t meet in the crease,’” Ruff said at a news conference Friday.
Ruff comes to the Stars as the 12th winningest coach in NHL history, sitting
at No. 3 among active coaches with a 571-432-162 record, all with the
Sabres in 15 seasons (1997-2013).
That experience was key in new Stars general manager Jim Nill’s decision
to hire Ruff, 53, as the 22nd head coach in franchise history.
“When we started this process, we said we had certain attributes we
wanted in a coach,” Nill said. “It was experience; it was dealing under
pressure and all these things. I pulled out the list and Lindy Ruff had [15
seasons] in one place and he’s won Presidents’ Trophies, has gone to the
finals and won gold medals. I went through the whole process and he’s the
guy that kept coming to the top. He’s a perfect fit for us.”
In his tenure in Buffalo, Ruff took his team to the postseason eight times,
including the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals. He picked up coach of the year
honors in 2006, winning the Jack Adams Award.
With new direction at both general manager and coach, the organization
hopes to bring a fast-paced and exciting product to the ice at American
Airlines Center.
“Ideally, if you can have good puck possession into the zone and in the
zone, it usually forces the other team into that get-it-out, get-it-in and
change, and you get to come the other way,” Ruff said. “It’s a tough style
and a demanding style, and you have to have players that will make the
right decisions.”
It will take some time for Ruff to know the organization’s players and name
a captain, but he had previous experience with Stars defensemen Brenden
Dillon and Stephane Robidas, serving as Team Canada’s coach for the
World Championships this spring. He was also an associate coach for the
gold-medal-winning team in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
Ultimately what Ruff must do in Dallas is win, breaking the franchise-worst,
five-year playoff drought.
“If you create the lifestyle, set the bar high enough and we have success,
hockey in Texas will be awesome,” Ruff said. “I saw that in Western New
York with our fans, and if the product is there and you win and you’re
playing a good brand of hockey, it doesn’t matter where you are at.”
And it doesn’t matter where Ruff is coaching. He said he will bring the same
amount of passion that was displayed when he felt, at the time, that Game
6 of the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals ended on an illegal goal.
“That same emotion and same passion will be here in Dallas if the same
type of thing happens or anything similar, because that’s the fire I have,”
Ruff said. “That’s what you are going to look forward to.”
Star-Telegram LOADED: 06.22.2013
681969
Detroit Red Wings
Helene St. James: Red Wings will look at using buyouts if no trades emerge
before draft
7:53 PM, June 21, 2013 |
By Helene St. James
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer
The Detroit Red Wings will have a chance to ease their payroll next week,
and are likely to take advantage of the opportunity if they can’t work out any
trades.
The window to use two compliance buyouts this summer opens 48 hours
after the end of the Stanley Cup playoffs — either Wednesday or Friday —
and closes July 4. Teams can also opt to save one, or both, compliance
buyouts for next summer. Usually buyouts count against the salary cap, but
these two are exempt, part of austerity measures designed to help clubs
adjust to a salary cap which will drop $6 million to $64.3 million for 2013-14.
The No. 1 buyout candidate is Mikael Samuelsson, who was a non-factor
this past season, felled by one injury after another. He has a year left at $3
million, money that could be well used toward funding a top-six forward.
There’s a hurdle, though: As of now, Samuelsson isn’t healthy, and that
makes him ineligible for the buyout. General manager Ken Holland said
earlier in the week that Samuelsson has been told by doctors in the past
two weeks that surgery is not required for the latest injury, which involved a
sore pectoral muscle/shoulder. The best the Wings can hope for is that
Samuelsson heals in the next 10 days, though it doesn’t take a conspiracy
theorist to see that for the player, there would be motivation to fight against
being cleared.
The No. 2 candidate is defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo, who will make $2.5
million next season. Colaiacovo was pushed down the depth chart when
Danny DeKeyser joined the group in March, and right now, the six regulars
figure to be DeKeyser, Niklas Kronwall, Jonathan Ericsson, Brendan Smith,
Kyle Quincey and Jakub Kindl, with Brian Lashoff as the seventh guy.
There also have been murmurs about Todd Bertuzzi, who has a cap hit of
$2 million, but here’s why I’d keep him: While Bertuzzi was sidelined Feb. 7
by nerve pain in his back and right leg, he gritted it out and returned in the
playoffs. Furthermore, he’s one of the team’s biggest forwards, and he goes
to the net. This will be needed next season, when the Wings move to the
more physical Eastern Conference. Plus, Bertuzzi is a shootout artist. The
Wings went 1-4 in shootouts after Bertuzzi got hurt last season.
The Wings don’t need to buy out anyone because they’re $10 million below
the salary cap. They’re going to look to make a trade before the June 30
draft, but if that doesn’t work out, buyouts could fatten their piggy bank
before free agency.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.22.2013
681970
Detroit Red Wings
Bracket: '84 Tigers vs. '97 Wings, which was Detroit's best championship?
game Wednesday afternoon at freep.com/sports. Columnist Drew Sharp
will answer your questions about all things Detroit sports in a live chat at 11
a.m. Friday at freep.com/sports. Submit early questions here. Are you an
encyclopedia of Detroit sports nicknames? Enter our contest for a chance to
win Tigers tickets and more.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 06.22.2013
Welcome to our tournament to determine fans' favorite local sports title
Can't say that we're surprised that our bracket has boiled down to the 1984
Tigers vs. the 1997 Red Wings. Two epic championships that captured the
hearts of Detroiters.
But which one was better? It's a tough call. Search your feelings.
Cast your votes below. The balloting will end at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Final, what title was "better"?
1984 Tigers vs. 1997 Red Wings: Which title was "better"?
Semifinals
1984 Tigers vs. 1968 Tigers: Which title was "better"?
1997 Red Wings vs. 1989 Pistons: Which title was "better"?
Quarterfinals
1984 Tigers vs. 2002 Red Wings: Which title was "better"?
1968 Tigers vs. 2004 Pistons: Which title was "better"?
1997 Red Wings vs. 1997 U-M football: Which title was "better"?
1989 Pistons vs. 1998 Red Wings: Which title was "better"?
Second round
1984 Tigers vs. 1983 Panthers: Which title was "better"?
2002 Red Wings vs. 1989 U-M basketball: Which title was "better"?
1968 Tigers vs. 1996 U-M hockey: Which title was "better"?
2004 Pistons vs. 2000 MSU basketball: Which title was "better"?
1997 Red Wings vs. 1957 Lions: Which title was "better"?
1990 Pistons vs. 1997 U-M football: Which title was "better"?
1989 Pistons vs. 2008 Red Wings: Which title was "better"?
1998 Red Wings vs. 1979 MSU basketball: Which title was "better"?
First round
1984 Tigers vs. 1936 Red Wings: Which title did you like more?
1983 Panthers vs. 2003 Shock: Which title did you like more?
2002 Red Wings vs. 1945 Tigers: Which title did you like more?
1989 U-M basketball vs. 1953 Lions: Which title did you like more?
1968 Tigers vs. 1954 Red Wings: Which title did you like more?
1966 MSU football vs. 1996 U-M hockey: Which title did you like more?
2004 Pistons vs. 1955 Red Wings: Which title did you like more?
2000 MSU basketball vs. 1935 Tigers: Which title did you like more?
1957 Lions vs. 2007 MSU hockey
1990 Pistons vs. 1965 MSU football: Which title did you like more?
1997 U-M football vs. 2006 Shock: Which title did you like more?
1989 Pistons vs. 1973 Saginaw Arthur Hill football: Which title did you like
more?
2008 Red Wings vs. 2008 Shock: Which title did you like more?
1998 Red Wings vs. 1998 U-M hockey: Which title did you like more?
1979 MSU basketball vs. 1959 Hamtramck Little League: Which title did
you like more? Future Michigan kicker J.J. McGrath will answer your
questions about himself, U-M and the MHSFCA East-West all-star game in
a live chat at noon Tuesday at freep.com/sports. Submit early questions
here. Join special writer Sean Merriman for a live blog of the Tigers-Orioles
681971
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk faces Pavel Datsyuk in voting for TSN.ca's NHL
Play of the Year
Brendan Savage
on June 21, 2013 at 3:35 PM, updated June 21, 2013 at 3:40 PM
TSN.ca's NHL Play of the Year belongs to Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red
Wings.
That's a fact.
The only question is, which one will it be?
The final round in TSN's Play of the Year voting will pit Datsyuk vs. Datsyuk
as the crafty Red Wings' forward advanced through each bracket to create
an All-Pavel championship.
Both plays came in February just nine days apart.
The first play (video above) came Feb. 19 in Nashville.
Datsyuk took the puck along the boards near the faceoff circle in his own
zone, skated up the middle of the ice, split four Nashville defenders in the
Predators' zone and fired the puck past goaltender Pekka Rinne.
When the shot goes past Rinne, Datsyuk is surrounded by all five Nashville
defenders. The goal tied it 3-3 before the Red Wings lost 4-3 in overtime.
The second play (video below) came Feb. 10 in Detroit.
Datsyuk also split four defenders that time – this time they were Los
Angeles Kings – before beating goalie Jonathan Quick to open the scoring.
Datsyuk uses his skate to deflect a pass that's behind him onto his stick
near the Kings' blue line, goes between the L.A. defenders and beats Quick
top shelf to help the Red Wings beat the Kings 3-2.
Ballots can be cast on the TSN.ca website and voting ends next Thursday.
Datsyuk is currently leading the voting.
Michigan Live LOADED: 06.22.2013
681972
Detroit Red Wings
New Detroit Red Wings arena plan creates district where 'sky is the limit,'
project architect says
lot of multi-use arenas that can go baseball, basketball and hockey. That’s
more sort of an internal, structural issue inside. I think one of the big
questions is whether the Red Wings would incorporate a practice facility
with the main event space. I think that’s a question that’s still a little bit up in
the air but will ultimately play out.
Joe Louis Arena seats a little over 20,000, but this new arean would seat
18,000. Why do plans call for fewer seats?
By Eric Lacy | elacy@mlive.com
on June 21, 2013 at 9:55 AM, updated June 21, 2013 at 1:35 PM
DETROIT, MI - Alan Mountjoy lives in Boston, but has been working hard
for years to understand the real estate and development dynamics of
Detroit.
This urban designer, with more than 25 years of experience, is working with
Detroit Red Wings owner and business mogul Mike Ilitch, his family and
architecture firm HKS on a $650 million arena and sports/entertainment
district project that would fill a gaping hole downtown.
Mountjoy, a principal at the firm NBBJ, believes this ambitious plan has "sky
is the limit" potential, will be something the public embraces and could be
designed, constructed and open within three years.
"It's not unreasonable to think that," said Mountjoy, whose work portfolio
includes master plans for Hart Plaza and Eastern Market. "We're looking at
ways a new urban district would evolve around the arena."
Mountjoy shared with MLive Detroit details about the project and answered
several questions you likely have about it.
Check out the lengthy Q & A below and share your thoughts in our
comments section. Also check out 10 areas that could get a boost from the
development.
Are you excited about the project and think it's a much-needed boost for
Detroit or do you doubt how much of an impact it will have in the city?
We want to hear from you. The topic has definitely been a hot one in
southeast Michigan.
What's the vision the Ilitch family has conveyed to you and others about this
project and how they think it will benefit the city of Detroit?
Their primary interest is making sure that the investments that they’ve made
in the Fox Theatre and in the existing Tigers stadium are reinforced and
enhanced with this new project. They want to reinforce that area right now,
but there are still quite a few holes. They want to expand it and they like the
idea of moving northward because they think Midtown is the sort of
happening place. They also think that Woodward is super-important as a
primary address. And you don’t have to go more than a couple of blocks
before you see activity on Woodward again.
They have a big picture of reinforcing the health of the Woodward corridor.
They’re very excited about the M-1 (light rail project). They see the arena,
the Fox Theatre and the Tigers stadium being as a complex that will have a
lot of stuff going around it. You’ll be able to go between those events, park
in one place and go to lots of different things. Obviously it will reach over
the highway (I-75) - an important piece of the picture to make it happen.
The sky is the limit. The family has pretty big visions for Detroit.
There's a lot of real estate activity in Detroit, especially with all these recent
purchases from Dan Gilbert. Is there some sort of collaborative downtown
development master plan going on with Gilbert and the Ilitch family since
they own so much of it?
Well, certainly Dan Gilbert has done a lot for the city of Detroit. And as far
as I know, it at least goes as far as Grand Circus Park. That’s pretty much
the doorstep to the Ilitches area of interest. So if Dan Gilbert can make the
magic happen up to Grand Circus and the Ilitches can make it happen up to
Midtown, then you really have restored the basic core of Detroit.
Gilbert has said publicly he'd love to see the Pistons move back to
downtown Detroit, but Pistons ownership doesn't appear to be moving on
that idea anytime soon. Does the Ilitch-backed Red Wings arena plan and
district allow for some flexibility if say the Pistons wanted to work out some
deal and play some games there?
There are many good examples of public use, multi-use centers (with that
option). I think the American Airlines Center is for both hockey and
basketball and can be adjusted to all kinds of events and shows. There’s a
I think the Ilitches did with HKS (another firm working on the project) a lot of
surveying on arenas from around the country and I think the number they
came up with is a good number. You’re partially right that it has to do with
(luxury suites and other amenities). And you also want these fans close to
the ice; it’s really the best seat. You also want to fit in a lot of premium
products (like luxury suites). There’s kind of a diminishing return when
you’re adding seats that are so far from the ice that they’re really not very
quality.
Red Wings fans have fond memories of Olympia Stadium (closed in 1979;
demolished in 1987), and most appear to want a new stadium that has
some kind of historic feel to it. Is that emphasized in the plan and when
could the public end up seeing renderings of this project?
There's been a lot of discussions about the angle of the bowl, how the seats
should be and how close people should be to the ice. A lot of people have
talked about the barn (Olympia Stadium) and how intimate the barn felt. I
think that’s a major factor (in the design stage right now). (With a release of
renderings to the public) that remains to be seen. I think in the coming
months we’ll start to see what the actual architecture might look like. I think
we’re still in discussions about that. I probably can’t talk about that. I think
this public announcement definitely increases the pace in which the public
is going to want to know more.
Are design plans for the project and encompassing district done yet?
That’s a tricky question. I think it’s still in discussions. There’s been articles
that have said we’ve been working on this for a while, and ultimately some
decisions have been made. But ultimately it’s the Ilitches who have to
decide the arena sighting and that sort of stuff. That’s why (a design plan, a
look) wasn’t announced because there’s still a lot of things at play.
There seems to be a lot of concerns about this project and district being
some kind of glorified mall that tanks and doesn't deliver the kind of
economic benefit backers of the project appear to be promising. Are we
talking about an arena with a mall-type of district or is this something much
different?
Primarily up until now we’ve looked at restaurants and entertainment as a
good ancillary use for modest retail. But we’re not looking at a big shopping
center. We’re looking at a good, urban district that has good, active street
life. And we’re looking at the kind of street life that doesn’t necessarily
depend on game days. We’re looking at something that can be more year
round.
Could this project include big chain types of retail or more in-house kinds of
business strictly ran by the Ilitches and Olympia Entertainment?
Well, mostly restaurants like Hockeytown - a mix of food and entertainment
- (is the scope of that part of the project right now. But we’re not ruling out
the possibility of actual stores. Who knows? We might be able to attract
other cultural uses, although we haven’t really figured that out yet.
Could a movie theater be part of the district? Detroit currently only has two
"real" movie theaters to speak of right now.
It’s not a bad idea. We’ve looked at variety of entertainment uses that would
appeal to the kind of people that would already be there including families.
A movie theater would fit into that certainly. Obviously restaurants are
something that would do well. We’ve also looked a little more broadly at the
potential for mixed uses that might be supportive of the sports center. Who
knows? We think there’s an opportunity for that as well as housing as you
get a little further away from the arena.
Based on your experience, what kind of need do you think there is in Detroit
for a project like this and this push to fill in the gap between downtown and
Midtown?
Detroit has a certain quality to it, and downtown and Midtown have
managed to attract a lot of people that I think are interested in urban living. I
think it’s a chance to reinvent Detroit in a whole different way of thinking
about it. I think there’s a real attraction to urban living. It’s surprising to see
how many people show up to the old train station (Michigan Central Station)
just pay homage to it as an urban artifact. The people who are attracted to
Detroit are the people who are attracted to living cities all over the country places like New Orleans and such. People want to sort of reinvent their
lives in an interesting way. I think they are very attracted to both Midtown,
and to some degree downtown.
Is there enough land at the project site - that Woodward and Temple area,
north of I-75 - to do what you need to do or are there more demolitions and
purchases of buildings needed?
They have enough land to build the arena at this point. There’s still
decisions to be made on what’s going to get demolished and what’s going
to stay. I think the plan is to try and integrate the arena and district with
what the Ilitches already own south of I-75. The idea is to take advantage of
all those aspects the Ilitches already own. A lot of people park north of I-75
and go to ball games, so if the arena is north of I-75 they will go south.
There’s a real opportunity here for mixing of crowds - both summer and
wintertime. The whole district will actually operate as one as flow of traffic
goes from the parking to the events centers. The idea is that all the areas
will be enriched by a third venue. It’s amazing that this is one of the few
places in the country where you have football, baseball and hockey in one
very tight location. You add the theaters to that and you really got a yearround entertainment destination. It’s unrivaled, really.
Do you have to assume, based on all the work you've done, that this M-1
light rail project is actually going to happen and complement the new arena
and district?
(Yes). The potential for this district for this district to really fill in one of the
missing gaps in Detroit really has amazing potential for the Woodward
corridor. We’re very excited about it, obviously. Everything in Detroit is a bit
of an act of faith. But I think that’s why it’s a city that’s sort of exciting right
now because it’s reinventing itself. That’s what attracts people to it. That’s
what attracts people to come down from places like Bloomfield Hills, too. It’s
sort of like a fascinating experiment.
Michigan Live LOADED: 06.22.2013
681973
Edmonton Oilers
Should the Edmonton Oilers’ break up their top line of Hall, Eberle and
Nugent-Hopkins?
June 21, 2013. 7:48 am
Posted by:
Jonathan Willis
Would the Oilers benefit from splitting their best players up rather than
running them on the same line?
Last season, the Oilers’ young trio of Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and
Jordan Eberle formed one line the vast majority of the time. NugentHopkins played 588 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey last year – 83 percent of
them came on a line with Eberle and two-thirds came with Hall. That left
Sam Gagner and a rotating trio of wingers – Magnus Paajarvi, Ales Hemsky
and Nail Yakupov.
One of the positive results was that the trio of young stars had excellent
results together. Unfortunately, it also meant there was a big drop-off when
the second line came on the ice. It’s also arguable that a big part of the
Oilers’ even-strength struggles last season came because they had one
effective offensive line and while that line wasn’t easy to defend against if
the opposition managed it the Oilers had nobody else who could generate
goals.
It isn’t the way some other teams run their top lines. Consider Chicago, the
Western champions this year. Patrick Kane played 743 5-on-5 minutes this
season; less than 100 of them came with Jonathan Toews. Kane would be
spotted with Toews at times, but for the most part he played with Patrick
Sharp, Dave Bolland and Marcus Krueger while Toews played with Marian
Hossa and Brandon Saad.
Next season’s Oilers top six is likely to include five holdovers from 2013 –
Hall, Nugent-Hopkins, Eberle, Gagner and Yakupov – with another player
acquired via trade or free agency expected to join that group. Nail Yakupov
is improving all the time, but rather than sticking him on the second line with
Gagner and a new player and hoping they can contribute secondary
scoring, might it make more sense to mix up the personnel? Would playing
Sam Gagner at centre between Hall and Eberle on a power-vs.-power line
(perhaps even with Hall spotting for Gagner in the faceoff circle) while
Nugent-Hopkins centered Yakupov and the new arrival on a 1A line?
Whatever the Oilers decide, new head coach Dallas Eakins needs to find a
way to get lines other than the top unit going next season.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681974
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers in the hunt for Buffalo Sabres forward Drew Stafford?
June 21, 2013. 12:08 pm
Posted by:
David Staples
Would a Hemsky for Stafford trade make sense? That’s my bet.
This just in from Jim Matheson, Hockey Hall of Fame hockey reporter of the
Edmonton Journal, on Twitter: “Very quiet on Oil trade front. I still think they
will try and deal for BUFF winger Drew Stafford.”
It makes good sense for the Oilers to try to trade for Drew Stafford, 27, a 6foot, 2-inch, 215 pound veteran NHL winger.
With the Oilers trying to move Ales Hemsky, might the Sabres be tempted
as well? This is just me speculating, but having moved Jason Pominville,
Buffalo could use a top right winger such as Hemsky, especially on the
power play.
Both Stafford and Hemsky shoot right and play right wing. Hemsky is about
two years older.
Hemsky, 29, had nine goals and 11 assists last season in 38 games, his
second straight off year, though injury has played a big part of his problem.
He’s also failed to mesh with linemates on the ice, even as he showed
tremendous fortitude last season playing for a month with a broken bone in
his ankle.
Hemsky is still a strong power player and he could also do well at even
strength on a team with strong support players who can do the heavy lifting
for him on defence.
Stafford scored six goals and had 18 points in 46 games for the Sabres.
Doesn’t sound so good, does it?
He got about the same amount of ice time, 17 minutes per game, as he has
received in previous seasons with the Sabres. It was an off year for
Stafford, who typically can be counted on for about 20 goals and 45 points
a year.
He had bad luck shooting, though, scoring on just 5 per cent of his shots,
this from a career 11 per cent shooter. As a team, the Sabres shot just 6.7
per cent at even strength with Stafford on the ice, according to Behind the
Net. Unless his game has fallen off a cliff, his luck should improve. In a
year, 2010-11, that he shot 17.3 per cent, he scored 31 goals.
Stafford can help on the attack by screening the goalie on the power play,
where the Oilers now have a need, given that Shawn Horcoff is unlikely to
be back and Teemu Hartikainen has moved to the KHL. Magnus Paajarvi is
now the best option for the Tomas Holmstrom role on the power play, but
Stafford could also fill it.
One big issue here is money. Hemsky, 30, has a year left on his deal
paying him $5 million per year. Stafford has two more years on a deal that
pays him $4 million a year.
Both are slumping, both aren’t considered great value players right now, but
both could also be due for an uptick in performance. Hemsky gives the
Sabres speed, attacking, power play expertise. Stafford gives the Oilers
some size, a bit more grit, a bit more defensive play on the wing.
Sounds like a reasonable deal
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681975
Edmonton Oilers
Oilers power play could learn a trick from Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri
June 20, 2013. 10:11 pm
Posted by:
David Staples
The Edmonton Oilers have had a solid power play for two seasons now,
which is no surprise, given the raw attacking talent on the club.
But how to maximize the unit’s scoring potential?
Last season, the Oilers had the eighth-ranked power play in the NHL, but
after a hot start, the unit slowed down considerably.
To stay hot and move up the rankings, the Oilers have to make it the
abiding focus of their power play to set up their two most dangerous
shooters, Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall, in their highest percentage
shooting location, the right face-off circle (as the Oilers face the opposing
goalie).
Using this formation presents a challenge to the team, as that same spot is
where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has done strong work passing the puck the
last two seasons, though not strong work shooting the puck.
Perhaps Nugent-Hopkins isn’t a strong enough shooter for this Oklahoma
City power play to work, so Sam Gagner could be also be tried in the role,
sliding down into the Gretzky spot at times, or moving up to the top of the
umbrella.
Taylor Hall, with his wicked shot, could also sub in on the right half-wall for
Yakupov, with little drop off, though it’s evident that Yakupov’s shot is the
team’s best weapon, just as Jari Kurri’s shot was the best weapon in
another era of Oilers hockey.
The Oilers have so much offensive talent that Hemsky isn’t likely to be
missed much on the power play when he’s moved, as is expected. A
second unit could have Ryan Smyth or some other grinder in front of the
net, with perhaps a newcomer like Anton Belov at one point, Jeff Petry or
Corey Potter at the other, if Potter is still on the team. Potter has proven in
the past that he’s at least an adequate power play point man.
In making these suggestions, I don’t profess to have anywhere close to the
technical expertise of an NHL coach. But I have studied the Oilers power
play in detail for the last three seasons, repeatedly going over video of
every power play scoring chance, which gives a sense of what works and
what doesn’t work. These are my best guesses as to what might work,
though other formations might also do the trick.
All that said, I stand by the notion that the focal point of the Oilers power
play has to be setting up the team’s best shooters in the places where they
shoot best. That means setting up Jordan Eberle and Sam Gagner on the
left half-wall and Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall on the right half-wall.
You do that, I suspect your power play problems are essentially solved.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 06.22.2013
So what to do?
Let’s first take a look at the arsenal. Ales Hemsky was the Oilers most
effective power player last season, when he averaged an astounding 9.2
contributions to scoring chances per 15 minutes of power play time, the
highest rate I’ve seen in three seasons tracking individual contributions to
scoring chances on the Oilers power play.
Hemsky had much of his success working off the left half-wall on a unit with
Sam Gagner, Ryan Whitney, Ryan Smyth or another player screening the
goalie in front of the net, and Yakupov on the right half-wall.
Having Yakupov in that spot put pressure on the defence, forcing defenders
to be hyper aware of him and his shot, thus opening up the ice for everyone
else on that unit to produce good results, which is why you’ll see Hemsky,
Gagner, 8.6 per 15, Yakupov, 6.8 per 15, and Whitney, 6.3 per 15, all with
as good or superior results to the players on the first unit, Jordan Eberle,
6.9 per 15, Taylor Hall, 6.0 per 15, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, 6.3 per 15, and
Justin Schultz, 6.4 per 15.
Nugent-Hopkins is an astounding passer of the puck, so it likely makes
sense for him to be on the top unit. But with Yakupov needing to operate
from that right half-wall so that he can get off the maximum number of shots
from prime scoring position, where do you put Nugent-Hopkins? Can he
and Yakupov work together?
Maybe, maybe not.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Wayne Gretzky found a useful place for himself to
run the power play offence, often parking himself behind the opposition net.
From that spot, he’d either move out into the slot himself, pass to a winger
such as Jari Kurri waiting to one-time a shot, or dump into the slot where it
could be slammed into the net at close range. It’s possible that NugentHopkins could also thrive down low in this Gretzky-style power play.
One tantalizing option, other than passing to either Yakupov or Eberle,
would be for RNH to look for Justin Schultz cruising into the slot, where he
can unleash on of his strong wrist shots.
If things got too predictable in that formation, Nugent-Hopkins could slide
back to the point, to the top of the power play umbrella, in a formation that
Oklahoma City Barons coach Todd Nelson used to good advantage this
season in the Calder Cup playoffs.
From that spot at the top of the umbrella, near the blueline, Nugent-Hopkins
could either fire at net, where Jordan Eberle or Magnus Paajarvi would be
waiting to deflect, screen or jump on rebounds, or he could dish off to the
side to either Yakupov, with his great shot, or Justin Schultz, also
dangerous from distance.
If no one charged out at Nugent-Hopkins, he could attack towards the net
himself, drawing in defenders before he shot or passed the puck.
681976
Edmonton Oilers
Cult of Hockey: Edmonton Oilers’ power play needs to be restructured
Shooters like Hall, Yakupov may be more effective than RNH on half-wall
By David Staples, Edmonton Journal June 21, 2013
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers’ power play was ranked eighth-best in
the NHL in 2013. That’s not bad at all, but with the talent the Oilers have
amassed, more should be expected.
The Oilers scored 34 power-play goals in 2013. They needed 10 more
goals to have the NHL’s most efficient power play.
Where to find those goals?
The Oilers will have to restructure their power play, which was often out of
sync because it failed to focus on setting up its two most deadly shooters,
Nail Yakupov and Taylor Hall, in their most deadly shooting spot, their offwings on the right faceoff circle (if they’re facing the opposing goalie).
It’s a basic principle of basketball to work hard to set up your top shooter in
his sweet spot, the place where he makes the highest percentage of his
shots. The same should apply to an NHL power play, where possession of
the puck is more certain than at even strength and players more easily
operate in set patterns from fixed starting points, just like in basketball.
Some NHL teams do just that. For example, two other excellent shooters,
Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals and Steven Stamkos of the
Tampa Bay Lightning, proved to be deadly in 2013 from their off-wings on
the left faceoff circle. According to data from SuperShotSearch.com,
Ovechkin scored 13 of his league-leading 16 power-play goals from that
area. Stamkos scored six of his 10 power-play goals from there.
But on the Oilers’ power play, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins set up shop in the
Yakupov/Hall sweet spot on the right half-wall. Nugent-Hopkins had good
success as a passer from there. Six times in 2013, he got the puck in that
area, then whipped it into the crease area, where it was jammed or
deflected in.
But in his two years regularly setting up on the right half-wall, NugentHopkins has scored only one goal from that spot himself. He hasn’t had the
shot to be a real scoring threat from that range.
This issue was partially addressed in the latter stages of the past season,
when Yakupov was often sent out as part of the first unit and placed on the
right half-wall. It’s worth noting when you look at the contributions to powerplay scoring chances, it’s the players on Yakupov’s unit (Yakupov, Ryan
Whitney, Ales Hemsky, Sam Gagner) who did as good or better than their
counterparts on Nugent-Hopkins’ unit (Nugent-Hopkins, Hall, Jordan
Eberle, Justin Schultz).
Hemsky contributed to 9.2 scoring chances per 15 minutes of power-play
time, Gagner was 8.6 per 15 minutes, Yakupov 6.8 and Whitney 6.3, while
the so-called first unit saw Eberle at 6.9, Hall 6.0, Nugent-Hopkins 6.3 and
Schultz 6.4.
As a group, the Oilers scored half of their 34 power-play goals from near
the crease, six from the right faceoff circle area, four from the left, three
from the middle slot, three from near the blue-line and one from long
distance.
On an individual level, Yakupov got two goals from the right faceoff circle
and Hall, even with his fearsome shot, didn’t even have one from there.
Change the focus and it’s not unreasonable to expect the two to combine
for more than 15 goals from that area over an 82-game schedule.
Of course, Nugent-Hopkins is such a fine passer that new coach Dallas
Eakins will also want to utilize him on the power play. Where to put him?
There are a few options, including having him set up shop from behind the
net, like Wayne Gretzky did for so many years. Nugent-Hopkins could also
move out to the top of the umbrella, to the middle of the ice on the blueline,
a strategy that Oklahoma City Barons coach Todd Nelson used to good
effect in the playoffs with gifted attackers Toni Rajala and Mark Arcobello.
From that spot, Nugent-Hopkins could pass off to shooters on either side or
take a shot on net himself, with two players down low to tip and screen.
In making these suggestions, I don’t profess to have anywhere close to the
technical expertise of an NHL coach. But I have studied the Oilers’ power
play in detail for the last three seasons, repeatedly going over video of
every power-play scoring chance, which gives a sense of what works and
what doesn’t. I stand by the principle that the focal point of an NHL power
play should be setting up the team’s best shooters in the place where they
score best.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681977
Los Angeles Kings
Player evaluation: Bernier
Posted by JonRosen on 21 June 2013, 3:10 pm
2012-13: 14 games played, 9-3-1 record, 1.88 goals against average, .922
save percentage, 1 shutout
The good: Bernier performed quite well in spelling Jonathan Quick during
the 2012-13 season as the 24-year-old allowed two goals or fewer in 10 of
his 12 starts. Though the statistics would indicate it was his most successful
season as a Kings understudy, the impact that he had on this Los Angeles
team went beyond the numbers and into the intangible. Because of the
quality of Bernier’s minutes early in the season, Jonathan Quick was
afforded more time to iron out the wrinkles in his own game so that he was
playing his best hockey heading into the postseason. Bernier stopped 119
of 124 shots between February 11 and March 4, creating healthy
competition not only between Quick and he, but also amongst the bloggers
and writers (via #LAKingsGoalieTweetOff).
The bad: On the ice, there wasn’t any real concern. Other than an early
game at Anaheim in which he replaced Quick, and the second of two
consecutive starts in early March in which he was pulled early in the second
period of an eventual come-from-behind win over St. Louis, Bernier was
awfully good. Off the ice, Bernier sadly dealt with the passing of his
grandmother in late March, which caused his absence from the team’s
White House visit.
Going forward: There is a lot to like about the way Bernier carried himself
during Quick’s ascendance over the last several seasons. He was always a
composed, well-respected figure in the dressing room and never caused
the slightest stir during a period of time in which he certainly was deserving
of more ice time than could be afforded. He also has a really cool goalie
mask. Because Quick’s 10-year contract kicks in next season and the
team’s budget is constrained by a decreasing salary cap, Bernier is likely to
be traded in the lead-up to the NHL Draft or at the draft itself. As an
affordable restricted free agent with a high upside, it’s not surprising to see
him draw considerable interest.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681978
Los Angeles Kings
John Tortorella to coach a divisional rival?
Posted by JonRosen on 21 June 2013, 1:25 pm
Welcome to the west coast, John Tortorella?
Tortorella, who turns 55 on Monday, has been offered the Vancouver
Canucks head coaching position and is reportedly en route to Vancouver.
He spent the last five seasons with the New York Rangers and won the
2004 Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning by defeating Darryl
Sutter’s Calgary Flames in a seven-game series.
Should Tortorella accept the position, John Stevens would return to the Los
Angeles Kings as an assistant coach provided another head coaching
vacancy does not open up. Stevens had previously been considered a
“front-runner” for the Vancouver position.
Stevens, 47, coached the Philadelphia Flyers for three and a half seasons
from 2006-10 and is viewed as a quality head coaching candidate following
the success of his work with the Kings’ defense for the last three seasons.
“Hey, I think Johnny is a head coach. I think he is a head coach with us,”
Darryl Sutter said last week.
“I think everybody has to share responsibility and that’s what good teams
do. I’m not one of those guys that has to be the center of attention. And
does Johnny Stevens want to be a head coach? Absolutely. But that’s how I
feel about him on our staff.”
With Phoenix’s Dave Tippett agreeing to a contract extension on Friday,
New York introducing former Vancouver coach Alain Vigneault and Dallas
hiring former Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, all NHL head coaching jobs would
be spoken for should Tortorella accept the Canucks’ offer.
A look at Pacific Smythe Western Division A coaches:
ANAHEIM
Bruce Boudreau
CALGARY
Bob Hartley
EDMONTON
Dallas Eakins
LOS ANGELES
Darryl Sutter
PHOENIX
Dave Tippett
SAN JOSE
Todd McLellan
VANCOUVER
John Tortorella
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681979
Los Angeles Kings
Remote controlled robot performs surgery on Sutter
Posted by JonRosen on 21 June 2013, 12:01 pm
Darryl Sutter is on the mend after undergoing hernia surgery that was
performed earlier this week by a robot controlled remotely by Dr. Daniel
Marcus at Marina Del Rey Hospital.
From CBSLA.com:
The procedure, which uses a da Vinci robot, is an 11-year-old technology
made available by Intuitive Surgical.
Though Sutter experienced pain and discomfort during the 2012-13 season,
he is ready to prepare for the 2013-14 season pain-free.
“Being a former player I’ve had lots of different orthopedic surgeries done,
and I wish that I could’ve had some of those done to me this way,” Sutter
said.
For another perspective on the procedure, The Royal Half thankfully has us
all covered.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681980
Minnesota Wild
Full Q&A with Wild owner Craig Leipold
Posted by: under Wild coaching, Wild management, Wild off-season news
Updated: June 20, 2013 - 11:50 PM
Earlier this week, columnist Chip Scoggins and I sat down with Wild owner
Craig Leipold for the first time since the Wild's season came to an end in
the first round against the Chicago Blackhawks. Here is the Q&A:
Q: Now that you’ve had time to reflect on the season, do you look back on
it?
Leipold: I would say success. Clearly moved forward, got better [but] feel a
little empty. I feel like we didn’t accomplish what I thought we had the ability
to do. I believe our team and all of our employees kind of feel the same
way. We had progress and we should be happy. We made the playoffs and
that’s great. That’s the first step. We always knew that was going to be the
first step. We accomplished that. But there’s a feeling like we didn’t quite
get to the next level. So everybody is pretty hungry for next season. No one
went home, back to Canada or Europe feeling like they achieved the
objectives that they wanted when we started the season.
Q: Why did you decide to retain Mike Yeo and Chuck Fletcher?
Leipold: Because I think we’re on the right course. I absolutely think we’re
on the right course. Everything that is happening in the locker room is really
positive. The exit interviews with the players were good. They feel like the
communication is great in the locker room, the leadership is good. Yeah,
there are some changes that we’ll probably look at for next year and that’s
good because we need to get better. But I think all the players are still
excited about the direction that we’re going as a team. I don’t think anybody
is really questioning our leadership in the locker room or in the hockey
[operations].
Q: You mentioned that empty feeling. Does that come from the financial
aspect that you made?
Leipold: It’s not for the business side. The business side we were great.
Honestly, yes the lockout cost us money. It cost every team money in the
short term for the first season. Going forward, we’re going to be seeing the
benefits of that financial investment. The lockout was costly for the first
year, but the ticket sales were incredible. The sponsors came back in
droves. We couldn’t be more happy with what the reaction was from our
fans. So we feel good about that and we achieved all our business
objectives. From the hockey ops side, our objective was to make the first
round. That was our budget. That’s where we wanted to go. We did that. So
we should feel [like], ‘Yeah, we did it. That’s great.’ But we were better than
that.
I think everybody kind of senses that. Every team has bad breaks. We had
some really tough breaks at the end of the year. Jason Pominville going out
and Heatley, two big scorers. With Jason Pominville, we still really don’t
know what we have. We’re excited about bringing him back in next season
and being a very active part of our offense. Heater we know has the ability
to throw up 25 goals and he’s typically a guy who plays 82 games a year.
Unfortunately, he had the shoulder problem and that cost him the rest of the
season. The issue with Backstrom at the end of the year was a really bad
break. Really bad break. That stuff just doesn’t happen. That’s like a movie.
So those are some of the reasons we feel like we just didn’t have the
breaks. But we also didn’t achieve what we thought we could do.
Q: How much does Koivu need to rehabilitate his image here?
Leipold: I think people need to understand what Mikko’s role is. He’s an
unbelievable leader. He’s a great player. He wants to win more than anyone
else. But the first line versus the first line of Chicago, the first of Chicago
didn’t do anything either. Toews, I don’t think he had a goal against us.
Other than I think was one power play goal that Hossa had, I don’t think the
first line got any points for Chicago. That’s what our first line did to stop their
first line. I think if you look at the first line of Chicago, that is one
powerhouse line and we shut them down.
[Koivu] is a great defensive-offensive player and he showed that. He
certainly doesn’t have to rehabilitate his image in our business. Yeah, he
didn’t score. He can have droughts like that. His real expertise or real skill is
to be a leader on that first line. He’s got to do two things: shut down their
offense, and he did that unbelievably well. We need to score more. We
didn’t do that so we need to work on that part of it.
Q: Are you concerned about Backstrom's age or level of play?
Leipold: We had unfortunate situations with our goaltending corps. And it
caused us to really use Niklas a lot. I would say we probably played him too
much at the end. I think we can sit back and say, when you’re playing the
last 20 games, that’s pretty tough, particularly when every game is so
important and so stressful. But that’s just the way the situation was for us.
Last year was not one of his best years and we think we may have
overplayed him. That would be one of the reasons. But he’s a good goalie.
There’s a lot of teams in this league and a lot of teams in these playoffs that
would like to have him. What’s available on the market? I don’t know, but
we know Niklas is available and we know exactly what kind of player he can
be and we know what he can do. He keeps himself in incredible shape. We
are not uncomfortable with Niklas Backstrom as our No. 1 goalie.
Q: How much patience will you have next season? Whether you like it or
not, every list of coaches on the hot seat, Mike’s name will be near the top.
Leipold: I don’t know why that would be.
Q: Because you spent a lot of money and people think you underachieved
this year.
Leipold: We didn’t achieve the goals that we wanted so I guess there’s a lot
of ways to characterize that. I can just tell you that we like Mike. He’s our
guy. If some list puts him on the hot seat, that’s just people doing that.
That’s not going to affect us.
Q: This is going to be Chuck’s fifth year. When do you feel like this team
needs to make a big jump?
Leipold: There’s no question the team made progress last year. We feel
great about the players. The players that we have on our roster right now,
the prospects that are ready to come up. We feel good about all that. I’m
certainly not going to say, ‘Well, what if, what if?’ Who knows? If you were
to lose three or four players throughout the year, particularly two of your key
players, there’s a lot of factors with what you do with staff. I can only tell you
right now absolutely that Chuck and Mike are our guys, they’re taking us
into the future and I feel really comfortable with both of them.
Q: Will you make another aggressive move on July 4?
Leipold: I don’t know how we can. The cap situation certainly does limit us.
The moves that we made last summer were strategic and long-term. No
one can make those kind of splashes unless they just like to make
splashes.
Q: Do you like to make splashes?
Leipold: Only if I think it’s strategically good long-term, not for the sake of
just getting into the playoffs for a one-year deal. As an example, Jason
Pominville is a good example of that. I know when we were out in San Jose,
and Chuck was talking about Jason Pominville, it was, ‘This guy’s a great
leader, he’s a natural scorer, he’s great on defense, he’s the kind of person
that we’re trying to build our team around. Other players respect this guy.’
So he was brought in not just because we needed him at the end of the
year or wanted him but because we would like to have him longer-term.
Fortunately, we’ve got him this year again and we’d like to think that maybe
he likes it here well enough that he’d like to stay.
Q: The price for Pominville was exorbitant. Was that Chuck or was that you
saying, ‘we’ve got to get into the playoffs and get somebody?'
Leipold: One hundred percent Chuck and Brent [Flahr, assistant GM].
Yeah, 100 percent Chuck and Brent.
Q: Does it concern you now the price that was given up (Johan Larsson,
Matt Hackett, a first- and second-round pick) compared to the outcome of
the season?
Leipold: Only after the fact does it always concern you (laughs). Now that
we’re talking about the draft coming up, you’d sure like to have that No. 1
pick. But on the other hand, you just remember, we got Jason Pominville
coming in. It’s expensive at the time. We went out and brought Jason in and
unfortunately a real questionable hit by Dustin Brown took him out for what
was really the rest of the season. That’s just unfortunate because I think he
could have been a great contributor in the playoffs. He got back, but he
wasn’t himself.
Q: How important is it as an owner to show your team or your fan base a
willingness to go for it?
Leipold: It probably appears as if I’m always willing to take the team to the
cap. The fact of the matter is we have a business and everything we did last
summer were for two reasons: making the team better and completely
changing the image that the Wild have in this market. We needed to change
our business model, which attendance-wise was going down, down, down,
down every year until we made that change and flipped it right back up.
Q: What do you think the image was?
Leipold: Complacent. That the team was getting complacent, that we
weren’t building it fast enough. The prospects at the time, we think were
good and as you recall, we were really selling that. But those prospects,
that’s three years from now and it wasn’t going to be fast enough. So that’s
the reason we made the big splash.
Q: Did you have an epiphany where you said we’re changing now?
Leipold: There was no epiphany. You could just see our numbers. It was
just going down every year. You could sense it in the excitement level of
our fans and what our fans were telling us. And we knew it. We’re fans, too.
We knew exactly what was happening. We made the decision strategically
that we needed to get better, that we had the cap space, and by spending
the money to get those guys, we were investing it to generate more
revenue by selling tickets and sponsorships. I can tell you that the plan
worked. And yes, they cost us a lot of money, but we also received returns
from that. So we don’t have any second thoughts of that decision that we
made to get both of those guys. They did everything that we could have
wanted them to do.
Q: When you look at the playoffs now, do you feel you’re still a long ways
away?
Leipold: You know it’s really funny, it’s really interesting how playoffs go.
Yes, we’re not like a Chicago Blackhawks. We’re not that deep. We don’t
have the first, the second, the third and the fourth line those guys have. So
that’s one of the things you identify. The importance of those lines, the
importance of size. Yeah, we’re a couple players off, but we’re not that far
off. I do believe that. … People that are saying we are far away from
winning the Stanley Cup, I don’t think you’re looking at all of our players
individually and what kind of team we can have if players step up and have
the kind of year that they believe that they can have.
Q: Because of the limited cap this summer, do you feel Chuck will need to
get aggressive on the trade market so you’re not standing pat?
Leipold: Everything’s on the table. I don’t think any team can come back
with the same team. … If you don’t win it, you have to do something to
make yourself better. And I’ve got all the confidence in the world that Chuck
is trying to do that and I think he’ll accomplish doing that. I can’t tell you how
or what players. I do know we love all of our players and every time you
think about just ‘what if we don’t re-sign this guy or what if we trade that
guy,’ we all go, ‘Man, we’re going to have a hole when that player leaves.’
But that’s Chuck’s job and he’s been pretty good at that.
Q: How long after a series like that do you decompress?
Leipold: I just kind of stayed home and went up to the cabin for about five
days. Family was there, so you kind of get away from it. The problem is I’m
watching every single game because they’re so good. I mean, my gosh,
they’re really exciting games. This one, I just felt like there was bad karma
going into it, when you start out with Backstrom going out, show me another
team that could survive that. … Things have to work out for you, and I
would definitely agree the stars had to really line up for us. We had to have
an unbelievable goaltending effort throughout the series no matter who our
goaltender is in order to win that.
Star Tribune LOADED: 06.22.2013
681981
Montreal Canadiens
Emelin won’t change his physical style of play
Posted by Stu Cowan
Alexei Emelin isn’t planning to change his physical style of play when he
returns next season from reconstructive knee surgery.
“I don’t think it will be something I’ll change because what happened to me
can happen to anyone,” Emelin, who had surgery in May to repair the ACL
and MCL in his left knee and isn’t expected to return to action until
November, told canadiens.com. “I will continue playing the same style. It
was just bad luck. You can be walking down the street, trip, or run into
another person by accident, and suffer a similar injury. It was a hockey play
with a bad result.”
Emelin was injured during a collision with Boston’s Milan Lucic during a
game at the Bell Centre on April 6.
“I don’t think I need to try to come back early because it’s a really tough
injury,” Emelin told canadiens.com about the six-month recovery period. “I
want to come back when I’m completely ready so I can come back sharp. I
don’t want to force myself to come back until I’m fully healthy.”
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 06.22.2013
681982
Nashville Predators
March 21 Calgary
17,113
17,227
15,118
2,109
March 23 Columbus 17,113
17,119
16,140
979
Nashville Predators remain hot draw for Midstate hockey fans
March 25 Edmonton 17,113
17,120
15,105
2,015
Team has averaged over 15,000 paid attendance last 3 seasons
March 28 Phoenix
17,113
17,373
15,929
1,444
April 2
Colorado 16,211
16,208
13,877
2,331
Jun. 22, 2013 |
April 4
Columbus 17,113
17,127
13,950
3,177
Written by
April 6
Chicago
17,113
17,256
16,875
381
Josh Cooper
April 9
St. Louis 15,063
15,076
13,012
2,064
The Tennessean
April 12
Dallas
16,818
16,820
15,501
1,319
April 14
Detroit
17,113
17,119
16,222
897
PREDATORS PAID ATTENDANCE IN 2013
April 15
Vancouver16,518
16,537
13,648
2,889
Paid attendance figures for the Predators in 2013 at 17,113-seat
Bridgestone Arena:
April 23
Calgary
17,114
15,231
1,883
Actual attendance (paid plus comp) for all but four games were equal to or
over the listed capacity of 17,113-seat Bridgestone Arena because of
standing-room areas.
• Average paid attendance per game: 15,126
• Average comp (giveaway) tickets per game: 1,904
• Vs. Detroit: Feb. 19 - 16,086 paid (1,032 comps); April 14 - 16,222 paid
(897 comps).
• Largest announced crowd: 17,322 (Feb. 16 vs. Anaheim). Team
announced 17,113 as attendance 18 times for the 24 home games.
• TOP FIVE GAMES
Date
Opponent Paid
April 6
Chicago
Feb. 16
Anaheim 16,689
March 9
Minnesota 16,586
Feb. 10
Chicago
Feb. 22
Vancouver16,250
That means the franchise can set its sights higher. Said John Vrooman, a
sports economics professor at Vanderbilt: “Paid attendance of 16,000 is the
new magic number for the Preds.”
• BOTTOM FIVE GAMES
Feb. 12
San Jose 12,841
April 9
St. Louis 13,012
Feb. 14
Phoenix
April 15
Vancouver13,648
April 2
Colorado 13,877
The neighbor wanted to know if the game at Bridgestone Arena had drawn
14,000 in paid attendance, which the Predators have to average per season
or the team can break its lease and leave Nashville.
Average paid attendance of 14,000 in the 17,113-seat arena is still
important for the Predators, but it’s now more of an afterthought. According
to figures the team provided the Metro Sports Authority, the Predators
averaged more than 15,000 paid attendance for each of the past three
seasons.
16,366
Opponent Paid
Sean Henry recalled a neighbor confronting him shortly after the Predators’
2010-11 season opener, which was also Henry’s first game as team
president.
“He said ‘Great game’ and then asked ‘Did you have 14,000 last night?’ ”
Henry recalled. “I had no idea what he was talking about … he laced into
me.”
16,875
Date
17,113
The Predators averaged 15,126 in paid attendance this season, which was
shortened from 82 games to 48 games — 24 at home — because of the
NHL lockout. Nashville had more games with at least 16,000 in paid
attendance (seven) than games with 14,000 or less (six).
13,391
There were no games for which every ticket was sold — the Predators
handed out an average of 1,904 comp tickets per game. Comps are
generally given to sponsors, charities, schools, players and others.
In the previous two regular seasons, both with 41 home games, the
Predators had higher average paid attendance and lower comp average. In
2011-12 the averages were 16,103 in paid and 646 comp. In 2010-11 they
were 15,525 in paid and 650 comp.
Source: Nashville Predators/Nashville Sports Authority
PREDATORS ATTENDANCE 2013
Date
Opponent Announced
Total
Paid
Jan. 19
Columbus 17,113
17,150
15,608
1,542
Jan. 21
St. Louis 17,113
17,138
14,348
2,790
Feb. 7
Los Angeles
17,113
17,293
14,504
Feb. 10
Chicago
17,113
17,113
16,366
747
Feb. 12
San Jose 17,113
17,213
12,841
4,372
Feb. 14
Phoenix
17,113
17,299
13,391
3,908
Feb. 16
Anaheim 17,322
17,322
16,689
633
Feb. 19
Detroit
17,113
17,118
16,086
1,032
Feb. 22
Vancouver17,113
17,388
16,250
1,138
Feb. 25
Dallas
17,113
17,116
14,165
2,951
March 8
Edmonton 17,277
17,280
15,591
1,689
March 9
Minnesota 17,113
17,198
16,586
612
Comp
2,789
Henry admitted that when he joined the Predators in August 2010 he was
aware of the 14,000-average benchmark, but “the short window I was here
before opening day, I never thought about 14,000.”
In the two years before Henry and CEO Jeff Cogen arrived, the Predators
barely cleared that number.
The Predators and Metro recently renegotiated the team’s lease at the
arena because subsidies from the 2007 agreement were expiring. The
requirement of 14,000 in average paid attendance remained in place, but
the Predators and the sports authority now view the figure much differently
than they did in the earlier years of the franchise, which began play in 199899.
“I think we were trying to assure the league that there was support in
Nashville, so we had the impetus on getting the numbers up and that’s why
we talked about the 14,000,” said J.D. Elliott, chairman of the Metro Sports
Authority. “I think that’s history and now we believe interest will continue.
We’re not going to focus on that because that would be going in the wrong
direction.”
The lockout was a big reason for the decline in paid attendance average
this year, the Predators said. Teams didn’t have their schedule until a week
before the season began, so the Predators decided to honor some prelockout ticket obligations even though half the season was wiped out.
For example, a season low 12,841 tickets were sold for the Feb. 12 game
against the San Jose Sharks and there were 4,372 comp tickets.
“When you make a commitment, you make a commitment,” Henry said.
“Imagine what we would have done to that fan if we didn’t honor them.”
Moving up
With average paid of attendance of 16,000, the Predators would join elite
company.
Teams in the NHL’s “middle class” have average paid attendance of 16,000
to 19,000 and are worth $200 million to $250 million, Vrooman said. The
Predators were valued at $167 million in the most recent Forbes listing.
Many middle-class teams — which also happen to be in bigger markets
than Nashville — have greater financial freedom to reinvest in payroll than
the Predators.
The Sharks are considered the gold standard of Sun Belt expansion teams
from the 1990s. They are valued at $223 million (15th in the league),
according to Forbes, and have sold out 17,562-seat HP Pavilion for 134
consecutive regular-season games.
Last season the Sharks had the ninth-highest payroll in the 30-team NHL
and the 10th highest in 2011-12, according to nhlnumbers.com. Nashville’s
payroll was 24th in 2013 and 27th in 2011-12.
With their current momentum, the Predators can get to 16,000 in average
paid attendance and turn the gains into “a stable long-term accumulation of
veteran and homegrown talent,” Vrooman said.
Henry is quick to point out that the Predators reinvest a large portion of their
revenue into the team, which should help spur fans to continue buying
tickets and push average paid attendance closer to 16,000.
Since the ownership change in the summer of 2007, Nashville has been to
the playoffs four times in six seasons, and matched a 14-year, $110 million
offer sheet from the Philadelphia Flyers for defenseman Shea Weber. At
the time, it was the second-richest contract in the NHL.
Nashville’s payroll for next season is currently near $53 million, according to
capgeek.com, leaving about $13 million under the salary cap as free
agency approaches next month.
“Every time we have growth in our revenue, it goes into our hockey
operations department to use it as a resource,” Henry said. “Our owners
have basically said all our resources are being used to grow the franchise.”
Creating buzz
Most NHL teams do not divulge paid attendance numbers, but there are
some comparables to the Predators based on arena size and announced
attendance — the figure the team discloses to media and fans during each
game.
Nashville averaged a team-record 16,974 in announced attendance this
season.
The Anaheim Ducks averaged 15,887 in 17,174-seat Honda Center. The
Phoenix Coyotes averaged 13,923 in 17,135-seat Jobing.com Arena. The
Dallas Stars averaged 17,063 in 18,532-seat American Airlines Center.
Though an average of 16,000 in paid attendance is a lofty goal for the
Predators, they believe the basic philosophy that has driven them in recent
years — fill the building — will play a key role.
Full houses create buzz. From late in 2011-12 and into the 2013 season,
the Predators announced 29 sellouts.
“Our goal is to sell out every single game. It’s that simple,” Henry said. “At
what point do we hit that goal? With the steps we’re going through now,
sooner rather than later, and a lot sooner than anyone would have thought
a few years ago.
“You don’t want your fans coming through the front door thinking ‘Gosh, I
hope they hit this number tonight’ or ‘I wonder how the team is doing
financially?’ ”
Nashville had the equivalent of 10,000 season tickets last season, said
Henry, who estimated the renewal rate is 92-95 percent. Prices for 2013-14
single-game tickets have not been announced.
The NHL, which averaged 17,768 in announced attendance this season,
likes what it sees in Nashville. Asked if the Predators were hitting league
goals for paid attendance, deputy commissioner Bill Daly responded via
email:
“We are very pleased with the performance of the Predators’ franchise, and
certainly applaud the organization for all of its efforts in engaging with and
growing its fan base, and in connecting more closely with the entire
Nashville community. The franchise has received quality leadership both
from its ownership and its existing management team, and has successfully
transformed Nashville into a first-class hockey market.”
Tennessean LOADED: 06.22.2013
681983
New York Rangers
Set for Changes, Rangers Introduce Vigneault as Coach
By JEFF Z. KLEIN
Published: June 21, 2013
Sather said he would open negotiations next week with goalie Henrik
Lundqvist, who is entering the final year of his contract. Lundqvist talked at
times last season about the difficulty of having to be nearly perfect while the
Rangers were scoring one or two goals a game.
Sather said of the shortcomings of Tortorella’s style: “It’s constantly
defending in your own end, and the barrage of shots that Henrik was
getting. He’s a great goaltender. He’s 31 years old. We want him to finish
his career in New York and continue to be a great goaltender for the next
six or seven or eight years, depending on how long he wants to play.”
New York Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
The Rangers introduced Alain Vigneault as their coach Friday, ushering in a
more creative and attack-minded approach to hockey. But the occasion was
almost as much about who was not there — primarily John Tortorella, the
Rangers’ previous coach, and Mark Messier, the former Ranger who was
passed over for the job.
While the genial Vigneault was enjoying the first moments of his five-year
contract, the irascible Tortorella was on a flight to Vancouver, where it was
believed he would be hired as the Canucks’ coach. Until last month, that job
belonged to Vigneault, essentially making this a transcontinental swap of
coaches.
Vigneault, the 35th coach of the Rangers, takes over after seven years with
Vancouver. He led the Canucks to two Presidents’ Trophies, for the
N.H.L.’s best regular-season record, and a trip to the 2011 Stanley Cup
finals. His teams were high-scoring and offense-minded, in contrast with
Tortorella’s defense-first, grinding teams.
“If you look at Vancouver, how we evolved over the years, we were a more
defensive-oriented team because our skill level wasn’t as high,” Vigneault
said at a news conference at Radio City Music Hall. “As soon as our skill
level started to evolve, we became one of the best offensive teams in the
league. And that’s what I intend to do in New York.”
Glen Sather, the Rangers’ general manager, spoke at several points about
a need to change the team’s style.
“Today’s game has changed,” he said. “If you watch the Stanley Cup
playoffs today, you’ll see there’s a lot more offense going on.”
Vigneault, 52, said he felt “honored and privileged” to coach the Rangers,
an Original Six team in what he called a great city. “There’s not a chance
that I could pass that up,” he said. He turned down an offer to coach the
Dallas Stars for the same salary, believed to be $2 million a year.
He has worked as a head coach in professional and junior hockey for a
quarter-century and is known for using advanced statistics. In Vancouver,
he used a sleep researcher to plan the Canucks’ grueling road trips. They
often had one of the best road records in the N.H.L.
Vigneault also has a reputation as a good communicator with his players
and with members of the news media.
“I come from a big market, a market where I understood the responsibilities
that go with this job,” said Vigneault, who also spent three years as coach
of the Montreal Canadiens.
Sather said he had a list of nine serious candidates for the job and
interviewed four over the phone. He interviewed two more in person:
Vigneault and Messier. Messier has been with Sather in some capacity for
roughly two-thirds of the last 34 years, but never as a head coach or
assistant coach at a significant level. Since 2009, he has been Sather’s
special assistant.
This week, Sather noted that Messier was very disappointed not to be
chosen. He said Friday that Messier “has got to decide what to do” with his
future and that they would talk later.
“It was a difficult decision, no question about that — we’ve had a long
relationship,” Sather said.
Sather said his decision to fire Tortorella had nothing to do with a perceived
player revolt. “There hasn’t been a player that mentioned or complained to
me about Torts, so let’s get that cleared up once and for all,” Sather said.
He said the biggest factor in changing coaches was the need to update the
Rangers’ tactics, which under Tortorella were predicated on defense,
grinding forechecking and checking assignments away from the puck.
“We needed a change in style,” Sather said.
681984
New York Rangers
Rangers Hire New Coach Vigneault With 5-Year Deal
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: June 21, 2013 at 5:56 PM ET
NEW YORK — Alain Vigneault brought a whole lot of experience and
success into his interview with New York Rangers general manager Glen
Sather.
However, his most appealing attribute might be that he is so different than
former coach John Tortorella — on and off the ice.
That was clearly evident Friday when Vigneault was named as the feisty
Tortorella's replacement during a news conference at Radio City Music Hall.
In the short window of time in which he met with media members, Vigneault
smiled and joked more times than anyone could remember his predecessor
doing in 4½ seasons with the Rangers.
Vigneault brings a welcoming demeanor away from the rink and a more
offensive philosophy on it — in contrast with Tortorella's way of working in
the defensive zone and putting a premium on blocking shots in front of star
goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
That often left many players dealing with multiple ailments.
"We needed a change in style," Sather said. "You look at the injuries ... we
needed to move the puck out quick. That style was perfect for a couple of
years, but it started to wear our team out."
Just more than four weeks after he was fired by the Vancouver Canucks,
Vigneault already has a job. He edged out former Rangers captain Mark
Messier, longtime former Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff and others.
Vigneault was given a five-year deal, and his first day featured his name on
the famous marquee outside of Radio City.
"I was thinking about the opportunity to coach the New York Rangers, one
of the Original Six teams," the 52-year-old Vigneault said. "There is not a
chance I could pass that up. Honored and privileged I feel."
In 11 seasons as an NHL head coach with Montreal and Vancouver,
Vigneault is 422-288-35-61 in 806 games.
"I'm going into this with an open mind," Vigneault said. "I think (players)
should be too. I'm going in with a clean slate. Let's see what we can write
on that slate."
Vigneault was interviewed last week during the Rangers' organizational
meetings in California and then met with team owner James Dolan in New
York.
"We had a list of 13 candidates and I narrowed it down to nine," Sather
said. "I interviewed two in person and four over the phone. It wasn't just
between A.V. and Mark."
Vigneault and Sather will now work on filling out the coaching staff.
It is unknown if Messier, now a special assistant to Sather, will remain with
the Rangers. Messier, a Hall of Fame player, lacks the coaching experience
that Vigneault is loaded with.
"It was a difficult decision. We've both grown up with each other," Sather
said passing on Messier. "At this stage, A.V. was the man. Mark has got to
decide what he wants to do."
Tortorella was fired May 29 — four days after the Rangers were eliminated
by Boston. A year ago, the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference finals.
In an ironic twist, Tortorella was reportedly offered the job on Friday to
replace Vigneault in Vancouver.
Sather insisted that no player came to him and asked for Tortorella to be
fired. No players were in attendance Friday.
"There hasn't been a player who ... complained to me about Torts," Sather
said. "He's the kind of guy who pushes to win. A.V. is a pusher, as well."
When asked if Tortorella was stubborn in resisting adopting a more
offensive style, Sather had a quick answer.
"Maybe beyond stubborn," he said. "He was perfect for us for a few years.
He's going to be perfect for another team, but it was getting to be so hard
on some of our players."
Speculation that Vigneault was about to be hired by the Rangers increased
greatly last weekend, especially after he removed himself from
consideration to become Dallas' coach.
"I want to win," Vigneault said. "I did find out that it is a lot easier to
negotiate yourself a contract when you've got two teams that are after you
than just one."
With that, he gave Sather a hearty pat on the back as those in the room
broke out in laughter.
"I didn't particularly enjoy that part," Sather said with a smile.
Vigneault ranked first on the Canucks' list in coaching wins and came within
one victory of capturing the Stanley Cup in 2011. In seven seasons,
Vigneault was 313-170-57 in the regular season but only 33-32 in the
playoffs.
His final two seasons ended in disappointment as Vancouver was knocked
out in the first round in both years — including a sweep by San Jose last
month.
The Canucks hadn't been swept in the playoffs in 12 years. The early-round
exits when they were the higher-seeded team, and losses at home at the
starts of the series, were cited by Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis
as reasons for Vigneault's firing on May 22.
"There is no doubt in my mind that this organization is committed to winning
the Stanley Cup," Vigneault said of the Rangers. "We've got a lot of great
pieces here and we're going to try to improve so that we all get to where we
want to be."
Messier captained the Rangers past the Canucks in the 1994 Stanley Cup
finals. Vancouver lost another Game 7 in the finals against Boston in 2011.
"I saw some of the pictures from the last time this city won the Cup,"
Vigneault said. "It's real clear to me that there is no better place to win the
Stanley Cup than here in New York."
New York Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681985
New York Rangers
Rangers Hire 'Perfect Fit' Vigneault as Head Coach
By REUTERS
Published: June 21, 2013 at 12:04 PM ET
NEW YORK — The New York Rangers appointed Alain Vigneault as head
coach on Friday, calling him the "perfect fit" for the National Hockey League
team.
Vigneault joins the Rangers after seven seasons as coach of the Vancouver
Canucks.
"Alain Vigneault has had success throughout his career and his coaching
style is a perfect fit for the Rangers," Rangers president and general
manager Glen Sather said in a statement.
The 52-year-old Vigneault, who also coached the Montreal Canadiens for
four seasons, replaces John Tortorella, who was fired last month after the
Rangers were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by the
Boston Bruins.
Tortorella, who had taken the Rangers to the Eastern Conference finals in
2012, took a step backwards with the team as they struggled to score
goals.
The team's power play in particular lacked punch, especially in the playoffs
where the Rangers scored just four goals in 48 opportunities with a man
advantage.
Vigneault registered an overall 313-170-57 record with Vancouver and
claimed the Northwest Division title in six of his seven seasons there.
The Quebec native guided the Canucks into the top five in the NHL in goals
per game in each of the last three full seasons, and ranked in the top six in
the league in power play percentage from 2009-10 to 2011-12.
He was fired last month after the Canucks were swept in the first round of
the playoffs by San Jose despite having home-ice advantage. It was their
second successive first-round ouster after reaching the seventh game of
the Stanley Cup final.
Vigneault previously served as head coach of the Montreal Canadiens from
1997-98 to 2000-01.
New York Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
681986
New York Rangers
John Tortorella reportedly close to landing Canucks gig as Rangers
officially introduce Alain Vigneault as his replacement
The Canucks fired Vigneault after seven seasons on May 22. One week
later, the Rangers canned Tortorella after three-plus seasons behind their
bench.
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, June 21, 2013, 3:57 PM
If the Rangers and Canucks had known each other's plans earlier, they
could have just orchestrated a direct trade.
On Friday, while the Blueshirts introduced ex-Vancouver coach Alain
Vigneault as their next head coach, former Rangers coach John Tortorella
received an offer to coach the Canucks, according to the Winnipeg Free
Press, and the two sides reportedly were close to a deal.
The Canucks fired Vigneault after seven seasons on May 22. One week
later, the Rangers canned Tortorella after three-plus seasons behind their
bench.
"I would like to thank John Tortorella," Rangers GM Glen Sather said at
Radio City. "We had a great time for four years. I expect we're going to
have a better time for the next five years."
Sather reasoned that the Rangers' defensive style under Tortorella was
effective for a time but then wore on his players. He expressed excitement
over Vigneault's track record over embracing a more open approach on
offense, where it was suggested Tortorella had been "stubborn."
"Well, I'd say maybe beyond stubborn," Sather said with a grin. "But I like
that part of Torts. I like a lot of things about him. What happened here, he
was perfect for us for a few years, and he's gonna be perfect wherever he
goes. I just felt that it was getting to be so hard on some of our players."
Both Vigneault (2007) and Tortorella (2004) have won a Jack Adams Award
as the NHL's top coach. Tortorella is ahead, 1-0, in Stanley Cups, due to his
championship 2004 season with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
In Vancouver, Tortorella would inherit two of the top offensive talents in the
NHL, twin brothers Henrik and Daniel Sedin, and at minimum he would be
expected to replicate Vigneault's level of success that included six
Northwest Division titles in seven seasons, two Presidents' Trophies and a
near-2011 Stanley Cup title.
The media scrutiny also would increase, if that seems possible, because
the Canucks are covered in Vancouver like the Yankees are in New York:
every detail is dissected, and even the seemingly smallest stories can
blossom into back page material.
Vigneault sounded comfortable in his transition to New York. Meanwhile,
Tortorella's acclimation in Vancouver would be closely chronicled by the
Canadian media if he is signed as coach.
"I know that at some point in time you're gonna write things or say things
about me that might not be as positive as they can be, but I respect that,"
Vigneault said. "Everybody's entitled to their own opinion, and you could
ask the people that I worked with media-wise in Vancouver, and I respected
that part."
New York Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681987
New York Rangers
New York a perfect fit for new Rangers coach Alain Vigneault and his family
Vigneault, who signed a five-year contract reportedly worth $10 million, was
introduced as the 35th head coach in Rangers history at a Radio City Music
Hall press conference Friday.
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, June 21, 2013, 3:04 PM
Alain Vigneault visited his daughters, Andreane, 23, and Janie, 20, in
Montreal recently as he was deliberating whether to coach the Rangers or
the Dallas Stars.
He walked into Janie's apartment at Concordia University, and on the coffee
table were two mugs, one with a Stars logo and one with the Rangers crest.
"Then they were sitting on the couch, and they both had Yankee hats on,"
said Vigneault, 52, a divorced father. "So I said, 'I know where you want me
to go. I'll see what I can do."
Vigneault, who has been away from his home in Gatineau, Quebec, for the
past 10 years coaching in the NHL and in juniors, smiled Friday at Radio
City after being introduced as the 35th head coach in Rangers history. Now,
instead of only seeing his daughters once or twice a year, they now may be
able to get together a few times per month.
"They both like to shop," he joked.
So personally, New York is the perfect fit for Vigneault, who has signed a
five-year contract reportedly worth $10 million. But he also chose the
Rangers because he came one win from a Stanley Cup in 2011 with the
Vancouver Canucks, and he believes that with Henrik Lundqvist in goal and
the Blueshirts' talent that he can accomplish that on Broadway
"I'm coming here to win," Vigneault said, wearing a navy blue suit to fit the
occasion. "And there's no doubt in my mind that this organization is
committed to winning the Stanley Cup. We've got a lot of great pieces
here."
Admittedly, Vigneault - who goes by the nickname A.V. - has a lot of tape
to watch to familiarize himself with the Rangers roster, having coached the
past seven seasons in the Western Conference. But it was abundantly clear
Friday that general manager Glen Sather and the Rangers front office are
more than convinced that Vigneault was the best fit for their current team.
Sather spoke about how injuries mounted under John Tortorella, whom he
fired on May 29, and that the Rangers "had a number of guys that were
really getting the crap kicked out of them … because we constantly had to
defend our own end."
"We needed to make a change to give them a little fresh life and more of an
optimistic view of how to play the game," Sather said.
Vigneault emphasized the importance of allowing top offensive players "the
latitude to make something out of nothing," or in other words, the freedom
to operate. His graceful and relaxed demeanor on Friday also reflected the
qualities that Sather sought during his coaching search, which the GM
revealed included 13 names on an initial list, six phone interviews and two
conducted in person with Vigneault and Mark Messier.
"I did find out that it's a lot easier to negotiate yourself a contract when
you've got two teams that are after you and not just one," Vigneault said,
laughing and breaking up the room.
Later, he sat down in a more intimate setting with reporters, shook
everyone's hand individually, and spoke about his awareness that he has
"responsibilities to the players, to the organization, to the fans and to you,"
meaning the media – a balance the previous coach didn't always strike.
Though Vigneault has not named his assistant coaches yet, Sather said
there could be many as three, and Vigneault's qualifications for his
candidates included qualities that aligned with Sather's new mission for his
leadership.
"I'd like to have one guy that's taking care a little bit more of the power play,
one guy that's a little bit more responsible for the penalty killing," Vigneault
said. "I need guys that are obviously knowledge, I prefer – and they will be
– guys that have NHL experience. And I want guys that are upbeat and
positive. It's so much easier to come into an environment – and that's my
job as the head coach – to create that positive environment where guys are
coming in, and they want to come to the rink and they want to work and
they want to get better. I can't do that by myself. I've got to have the right
people surrounding me, and I've always had that. I've always had strong
people, and I'm definitely going to have the right people here."
Aside from his documented success as a head coach for the Montreal
Canadiens (1997-2000) and the Canucks (2006-2013), Vigneault's appeal
also stems from his use of advanced statistics to teach his players new
layers of analyzing and seeing the game.
A perfect example is Vigneault's use of what he called a "sleep doctor" in
Vancouver to help coaches manage the Canucks' rest amid a heavy travel
schedule. The Rangers' travel distance will increase beginning next season,
as teams will start traveling to all 29 other cities at least once per year.
"It's a guy that took our schedule, put it through a database, and in the
results we got from the database, it gave us ratings," Vigneault said. "And
we always wanted our team to be above 90 – that would be our energy
level where our players should be. So we made decisions based on that,
instead of flying out after a game and getting to the next place, we would
stay, sleep over, get up the next day, leave at 11. The focus of that was that
our guys would get at least eight hours sleep, and they don't get it if we're in
bed by 3 and then the guys get up earlier the next day. So we made a lot of
those decisions based on the recommendation on the expert, and our
record on the road has been one of the best in the National Hockey League
for the last couple years.
"It's something I've talked to Glen about, I've talked to (Garden chairman)
Jim (Dolan) about. I know that the schedule this year is going to be
different. It's an Olympic year. It's going to be more challenging because
we're playing against both the other conference and we're playing home
and home, so it's something we're going to look at and see if it does make a
difference here."
It's a fresh start and a new approach for the Rangers, with a smiling face at
the helm.
New York Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681988
New York Rangers
Rangers GM Glen Sather says future of Brad Richards to be discussed
soon
New coach Alain Vigneault called Richards an 'outstanding individual.'
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Saturday, June 22, 2013, 12:10 AM
Glen Sather said Friday the Rangers’ front office will discuss the future of
center Brad Richards in the upcoming days. Richards is a strong candidate
for a compliance buyout, due to his age, 33, his struggles this season and,
mainly, the seven years remaining on a contract with a $6.67 million annual
cap hit.
New coach Alain Vigneault called Richards an “outstanding individual,”
citing the time Richards practiced with Vigneault’s former junior team on
Prince Edward Island during the 2004-05 NHL lockout.
“After every practice, he always took three, four guys with him to help work
on different things,” Vigneault said. “I saw then and there that he was a
quality person. Not quite sure what happened here with the Rangers.”
New York Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681989
New York Rangers
Mark Messier’s fate with NY Rangers unknown
GM Glen Sather acknowledged it was not easy to say no to Messier, who
won five Stanley Cups with Sather and the Edmonton Oilers from 19841990.
By Pat Leonard / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Friday, June 21, 2013, 11:58 PM
Mark Messier, the special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen
Sather who was passed over for Alain Vigneault as head coach, did not
attend Vigneault’s introductory press conference on Friday at Radio City.
Sather said he does not know how Messier intends to proceed with his
career but that he expects to talk with him by the beginning of next week.
Regardless of what the Captain decides, Sather acknowledged it was not
easy to say no to Messier, who won five Stanley Cups with Sather and the
Edmonton Oilers from 1984-1990.
“Yeah, it was a difficult decision, there’s no question about that,” Sather
said. “We’ve had a long relationship. We’ve both grown up with each other.
Maybe I was a little more grown up than him in the beginning (laughs).
“Yeah, it was a difficult decision to make, but running this hockey club is not
easy all of the time. You’ve got tough decisions that sometimes you make
for tough reasons. I just think that at this stage, A.V. is the man.”
Sather said he anticipates seeing Messier coach in the NHL one day, if
that’s what he chooses to pursue.
“I would like to think that can happen, certainly,” Sather said. “He’s got to
decide what he wants to do and he told me he’s going to take a few days
and we’re going to talk about it.”
PRIMARY GOAL
Sather left no doubt that the Rangers intend to work on signing Henrik
Lundqvist to an extension.
“Henrik’s contract comes up the following year, so we’re going to try and
renew that,” the GM said. “I talked to (Lundqvist’s agent) Donny Meehan
this morning, and he’s coming in next week to talk to me.”
New York Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
681990
New York Rangers
Jovial Vigneault introduced as Rangers coach; Sather touts 'style of play'
By BRETT CYRGALIS
Last Updated: 3:56 PM, June 21, 2013
Posted: 1:36 PM, June 21, 2013
It was clear immediately that Alain Vigneault will be very different from John
Tortorella, as the 35th head coach in Rangers history smiled and laughed
and had fun on Friday afternoon, the day when Radio City Music Hall put
his name on the marque and all the attention belonged to him.
Vigneault, 52, was at times lighthearted and serious, explaining his
coaching philosophy while showing the assembled media that he is also
knows how to crack a joke.
“It’s a lot easier negotiating a contract,” Vigneault said, “when there are two
teams going after you.”
“I didn’t particularly like that part,” general manager Glen Sather responded,
knowing that Vigneault was also being recruited to coach the Stars, who
hired Lindy Ruff on Thursday.
Yet it was Sather who fired the hard-nosed Tortorella on May 29, and who
recently put his name on a five-year, $10 million contract for Vigneault,
showing a commitment to the 2007 Jack Adams Award winner and
headman behind the Canucks back-to-back Presidents Trophies from 201012.
“The game has changed,” Sather said. “I like his style of play and I like the
way his players have reacted to him.”
Sather made the decision to go with Vigneault over a group of what he said
was 13 candidates, nine of whom were seriously considered, four of whom
were interviewed over the phone and just two of them who interviewed in
person. It would make sense if the other candidate to be personally
interviewed was Mark Messier, a special assistant to the GM since 2009
who was also the icon of the Rangers’ 1994 Stanley Cup-winning team. He
made his desire for the job clear to Sather early in the process, and now his
future with the organization is uncertain.
“I expect I’ll talk to him this week or early next week,” Sather said of
Messier.
Vigneault spent seven years in Vancouver, and made it to Game 7 of the
Stanley Cup finals in 2011, where his team lost to the Bruins. His teams
have been both offensive and defensive, what he says is a strategy tailored
to his personnel
“I believe your top skill players should have more latitude,” said Vigenault,
whose teams went 313-170-57 and won the Northwest division in six of
seven years. “They have to be given that latitude to make a something out
of nothing.”
That was a place where it seemed Tortorella came up short, even admitting
after his team’s second-round loss to the Bruins that he was not able to get
enough out of his top players. Reports out of Vancouver said that Tortorella
is nearing a contract to complete the coach swap.
Vigneault was fired this season after his Canucks got swept in the first
round of the playoffs by the Sharks. He hasn’t gotten deep into tape of the
Rangers yet, but knows enough about the roster to consider them an
immediate contender for the Stanley Cup.
“I’m going into this – and I hope the guys go into this, too – with an open
mind,” Vigneault said. “It’s a clean slate for everybody, so let’s write what
we want to write on that slate.”
***
Sather said he entirely expects to sign all of his restricted free agents,
which include Ryan McDonagh, Carl Hagelin, Derek Stepan and Mats
Zuccarello. He also said that Don Meehan, the agent for franchisebackbone goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, is set to come to New York for a
meeting next week. Lundqvist, 31, is set to be an unrestricted free agent
after this coming season.
“Six, seven, eight years,” Sather said about what he’s planning on giving
Lundqvist, “depending on how many years he wants to play.”
One thing Sather didn’t want to discuss was the future of Brad Richards,
who is a prime candidate for the team’s second amnesty buyout. Sather
said that discussion would take place very soon, and will involve Vigneault.
If bought out, Richards’ $6.67 million annual salary-cap hit would be voided.
New York Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
681991
New York Rangers
Vigneault preaches ‘latitude’ at Rangers intro
By BRETT CYRGALIS
Last Updated: 3:42 AM, June 22, 2013
Posted: 1:06 AM, June 22, 2013
It was more than just style of play that got John Tortorella kicked to the
Broadway curb. His unwillingness to change eventually ushered him to the
exit.
Yesterday at Radio City Music Hall, the Rangers introduced Alain Vigneault
as the 35th head coach of the club, replacing Tortorella, who was fired on
May 29 after four and half years.
And if general manager Glen Sather was clear about his opinion on
anything, it was that Tortorella’s grinding, defensive style took its toll on the
players, and more importantly, Tortorella’s unwillingness to adapt limited
their ability to be in direct competition to win the Stanley Cup.
“I’d say maybe beyond stubborn,” Sather said about Tortorella’s attitude. “I
just felt it was getting to be so hard on our players, playing the style we
were playing, that we needed to make a change to give them a little fresh
life and more of an optimistic view of how to play the game.”
Optimism reigned on this day, as it always does for the hiring of a new
coach. Vigneault, who signed a five-year, $10 million deal and likes the
nickname “AV,” has a stellar record coming off seven seasons with the
Canucks, preceded years earlier by three and a half with the Canadiens.
As Tortorella prepares to accept the Canucks’ offer in what amounts to an
old-time coach swap, their respective abilities to change and adapt seems
to be in the starkest contrast.
“Torts is the kind of guy that pushes to win,” Sather said. “It doesn’t mean
that AV isn’t going to be that guy. He’s a pusher as well. Sometimes you
have to mesh those two together. You have to give the guy a little love and
you have to give a little kick in the [behind] once in a while.”
For Tortorella, it was a lot more about kicking than it was loving. He
demanded his teams always put defense first, and it stifled the offensive
skill at his disposal. For the 52-year-old Vigneault, having that type of highend skill in players such as Rick Nash is something that has to be nurtured,
not suppressed.
“I believe your top skill players should have more latitude,” said Vigenault,
whose Canucks teams went 313-170-57 and won the Northwest Division in
six of seven seasons. “They have to be given that latitude to make a
something out of nothing.”
During his years in Vancouver, Vigneault won the Jack Adams Award as
the league’s top coach in 2007 and led his team to back-to-back Presidents’
Trophies for the best regular-season records in 2010-11 and 2011-12. He
had teams that were both offensive and defensive, depending on his
personnel. That versatility was as attractive as anything to Sather.
“I’m going into this — and I think they should be the same way — with an
open mind,” Vigneault said. “It’s a clean slate for everybody. Let’s decide
what we want to write on that slate.”
Sather said he chose Vigneault from a pool of 13 candidates, four he
interviewed on the phone and two he interviewed in person. The other inperson interview was with Mark Messier, Sather’s special assistant since
2009 and captain of the 1994 Stanley Cup-winning Rangers team who
made his desire for the job known early on.
After being passed over, Messier told Sather he needed a couple of days to
regroup, and it’s likely the two will speak this coming week about his future
with the organization.
“Running this hockey club is not easy all the time,” Sather said. “Tough
decisions are made for tough reasons. I just think at this stage, AV is the
man.”
New York Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
681992
New York Rangers
Coach’s smiling optimism a case of Torts reform
create that positive environment where guys are coming in, and they want
to come to the rink and they want to get better.”
Upbeat and positive. An encouraging smile rather than a disapproving
scowl. Out with the old. In with the new.
The new face of the Rangers.
By LARRY BROOKS
Last Updated: 4:17 AM, June 22, 2013
Posted: 1:06 AM, June 22, 2013
Don’t let anyone fool you. The Rangers’ transfer of coaching power from
John Tortorella to Alain Vigneault is as much about style as substance, as
much about personality as advanced metrics.
It is about an easy smile replacing a perpetual scowl as the face of the
hockey team, not only in public settings but, much more importantly, behind
the closed doors of the locker room.
Glen Sather doesn’t want any coach’s metaphorical blood on his players’
hands, doesn’t want to be perceived as having been pushed into making a
change that otherwise would have been avoided. That’s why the general
manager has gone out of his way to deny the Rangers’ exit meetings were
the motivating force behind the call to dismiss Tortorella.
Fair enough, and as someone once said at a different kind of forum, he (or
the owner) paid for the microphone, but Sather doth protest way too much
with his “No player said anything negative to me” bit of silliness at
yesterday’s show at Radio City Music Hall at which Vigneault was officially
introduced as Tortorella’s successor.
There was an absence of rhetorical flourish. No one made grand promises.
With just about a week with which to study Vigneault’s philosophy between
the time he agreed to coach the Rangers and the time he was announced
as the coach of the Rangers, there were no surprises.
The key words, though, and the ones that most fundamentally explain why
the change was made from one of two coaches in the NHL whose team
won at least one playoff round each of the past two seasons (with the
Kings’ Darryl Sutter the other) to a coach whose team was eliminated in the
first round by a lower seed in each of the past two seasons, were these
spoken by Sather:
“The players needed a fresh life and a more optimistic view of how to play
hockey.”
There you have it. It wasn’t enough the Rangers were being hammered in
their own end of the ice, sacrificing their bodies on shift after shift in
dropping down to block shots and protect the house. They were being
hammered in the locker room, too, by a coach who, we now have learned,
grew more acerbic and critical of their efforts by the day.
It was one thing for the Rangers to be beaten, another thing to be beaten by
the Bruins, and yet a whole other thing entirely to be beaten by their own
coach.
Again, we know Vigneault is about getting his talent onto the ice as much
as possible for offensive zone draws and getting his best defensive zone
guys on for faceoffs at the other end. We know he’s about puck possession
rather than dump-and-chase and breakout plays rather than chips off the
glass.
There was talk from the coach of giving his “skilled players the latitude to
make something out of nothing,” of implementing a system to “maximize the
talent you have” while of course adhering to the fundamental principles of
winning defensive hockey.
But even as Vigneault was calling Rick Nash “an elite player” and Henrik
Lundqvist “one of the best goaltenders in the world,” and even as he was
talking about “sleep doctors” influencing decisions regarding travel and
declining to offer an opinion on whether Brad Richards should stay or be
bought out, his most important words weren’t about X’s and O’s or about
PP’s and PK’s.
They were, instead, about the qualities he would seek in his assistant
coaches beyond an ability to direct a power play or penalty kill unit and the
atmosphere he would seek to establish around his team.
“I want guys that are upbeat and positive,” Vigneault said. “It’s so much
easier to come into an environment, and that’s my job as the head coach, to
New York Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
681993
New York Rangers
Rangers’ GM Sather moves to avoid hardball with Lundqvist
By BRETT CYRGALIS
Last Updated: 4:04 AM, June 22, 2013
Posted: 1:04 AM, June 22, 2013
Glen Sather is trying not to let the issue of Henrik Lundqvist’s contract
situation linger any longer. The Rangers general manager will meet
sometime next week with the franchise goaltender’s agent, Don Meehan, in
hopes of wrapping up an extension.
“He’s a great goaltender,” Sather said Friday at Radio City Music Hall,
where the team introduced Alain Vigneault as its new head coach. “He’s 31
years old, we want him to finish his career in New York and continue to be a
great goaltender for the next six or seven or eight years, depending on how
long he wants to play.”
Lundqvist can become an unrestricted free agent after next season, and he
was measured in his enthusiasm for re-signing with the Blueshirts on the
team’s breakup day a couple weeks ago.
* Sather had no declaration on the future of Brad Richards, saying it was
not the proper time to discuss personnel decisions. Richards is a prime
candidate for the team’s second amnesty buyout, which would wipe out his
$6.67 million annual salary-cap hit.
Vigneault had some experience with Richards when he coached juniors at
Prince Edward Island, Richards’ home area, during the 2004-05 lockout.
“He was an outstanding individual,” Vigneault said. “I’m not quite sure what
happened here with the Rangers. There are people here who understand
the situation much better than I [do], so we’ll see what happens.”
* Sather also addressed the big three restricted free agents: forwards Carl
Hagelin and Derek Stepan and defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
“The interesting thing about contracts is that you can always renew them,”
Sather said. “The three guys we have coming up now, we’re going to renew
them all.
“I’m not planning on purging the hockey team because we have some
contracts that are up. We’re a pretty young hockey team.”
Diminutive Norwegian winger Mats Zuccarello also is a restricted free
agent.
* The Rangers’ schedule next season will have more travel, with
realignment bringing larger, more geographically spread-out divisions, as
well as the return of inter-conference games for a full, 82-game slate. While
dealing with brutal travel as coach in Vancouver, Vigneault used the advice
of a “sleep doctor” who put the team’s schedule into a database and
returned results on whether they should stay in a city after a game or leave.
“We made a lot of those decisions based on the recommendation of the
expert,” Vigneault said, “and our record on the road has been one of the
best in the NHL for the last couple years.”
* Vigneault said he plans on having two assistant coaches on the bench
with him during games — one focused on each special team — and both
will have previous NHL experience.
New York Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
681994
New York Rangers
NHL: Tortorella, Canucks close to a deal
Saturday, June 22, 2013
NEWS SERVICE REPORTS
Former Rangers coach John Tortorella has been offered the head coaching
position with the Vancouver Canucks, according to a report in the Winnipeg
Free Press.
The newspaper said the two sides were close to a deal.
Tortorella, 54, was fired May 29 — four days after the Rangers were
eliminated by the Boston Bruins in the second round of the Eastern
Conference playoffs.
In four-plus seasons with the Rangers, the club made the playoffs three
times, reaching the Eastern Conference finals in 2012.
Tortorella, who was 171-115-29 with the Rangers, won a Stanley Cup with
the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.
If he accepts the job he would replace Alain Vigneault, who was introduced
as the Rangers’ new coach on Friday.
After two interviews with Canucks officials, Tortorella was in Vancouver on
Friday to discuss the offer.
Vancouver ownership reportedly wants a culture change and a crack-thewhip approach.
FLAMES’ ARENA FLOODED: Floodwaters reached the 10th row of the
Flames’ home arena, the Scotiabank Saddledome, in Calgary on Friday.
Flooding forced the western Canadian city to order the evacuation of its
entire downtown.
Overflowing rivers washed out roads and bridges, soaked homes and
turned streets into dirt-brown waterways around southern Alberta. Police
say at least two people are dead.
RUFF TAKES CHARGE: Lindy Ruff was hired Friday as the new coach of
the Stars, 14 years after Dallas clinched its only Stanley Cup on a goal he
has always questioned — Brett Hull’s shot with his skate in the crease late
in the third overtime of Game 6 that beat the Ruff-coached Buffalo Sabres.
"It’s a long time ago," Ruff said after his introduction. "I’ve had some great
memories. I’ve gotten past that. I’m a coach, I want to coach, and this is an
unbelievable opportunity. ... It all worked out great for Dallas."
TIPPETT EXTENSION: The Phoenix Coyotes have agreed to a long-term
contract extension with coach Dave Tippett.
The Coyotes have gone 156-96-42 and made the playoffs three times in
Tippett’s four seasons. Terms were not disclosed.
Bergen Record LOADED: 06.22.2013
681995
New York Rangers
Rangers will be different in a lot of ways with Vigneault in charge
22 June 2013, 4:46 am
By Rick Carpiniello
NEW YORK—Alain Vigneault, on a makeshift stage at Radio City Music
Hall for his introductory press conference Friday, looked at Rangers general
manager GM Glen Sather and joked, that “It’s a lot easier to negotiate
yourself a contract when you have two teams that are after you rather than
just one.”
Vigneault is a divorced dad of two twenty-something daughters in the
province of Quebec. For the last 10 years or so, he has seen them only a
handful of times each year. So in turning down Dallas’ offer to coach the
Stars, and in addition to taking a reported $10 million of James Dolan’s
money for the next five years, that was another tipping point. Now he can
coach an hour’s flight from his daughters and see them far more often.
If he has time. Vigneault, 52, has a huge project in front of him now. After
failing to win it all with a far more talented team in Vancouver, he will be
expected to win it all here.
“Winning the Stanley Cup remains our first and only goal,” Dolan said
Friday.
The man Vigneault replaced — the sandpapery John Tortorella — was
reportedly close to replacing Vigneault in Vancouver. The expectation,
somehow, is that each will do a better job in his new place than his
predecessor.
“Not a chance that I could pass (this) up,” Vigneault said. “I’m coming here
to win.”
Then he used a term that probably gave the anti-Tortorella portion of the
fan base some shivers, using Tortorella’s “the right way” cliché.
“To give you a simple answer,” Vigneault said about his style,. “I like my
teams to play the right way, which is — if you’ve got room to make a play,
make a play. If you’ve got space and time to carry the puck, carry the puck.
If the other team’s got the gap on you or they’re playing you tight,
sometimes you’ve got to make the high-percentage play and chip those
pucks behind.
“I really believe in playing the right way offensively and defensively. I
believe your top skill players have to be given a little more latitude.”
He noted that when he arrived in Vancouver seven seasons ago, that team
didn’t have a lot of skill and played a more defensive system.
Vigneault is also a forward thinker, one who utilizes advances stats, for
example, to get his offensive players more shifts that begin in the offensive
zone, and vice versa for his defensive players. He has used a sleep expert
and his computer ratings for energy levels to determine, for example, when
his team should fly for road trips to maximize rest.
Vigneault dismissed himself from commenting on the potential Brad
Richards buyout — which can be done only in a window starting 48 hours
after the Cup finals end, until July 5. He spoke highly, of course, of Henrik
Lundqvist (Sather spoke Friday with Lundqvist’s agent, Don Meehan, and
they will meet in person next week as the goalie heads into his walk year).
Vigneault wants a larger staff, with probably three assistants, which could
include Newell Brown, his long-time aide in Vancouver, and possibly Ulf
Samuelsson, and maybe even Tortorella’s assistant, Mike Sullivan.
He wants to do it the right way, and he surely will do a lot of things off the
ice better than Tortorella did them.
“I think we’re in that category of teams that’s really close to competing for
that Stanley Cup,” he said.
“I’m going into this, and I think (the players) should be the same way, with
an open mind. It’s a clean slate for everybody. Let’s decide what we want to
write on that slate.”
Bergen Record LOADED: 06.22.2013
681996
New York Rangers
Alain Vigneault will be a style change for Rangers
Originally published: June 21, 2013 2:31 PM
Updated: June 21, 2013 8:49 PM
By STEVE ZIPAY steve.zipay@newsday.com
It is inevitable that Alain Vigneault, who formally assumed the reins of the
Rangers Friday under a five-year contract reportedly worth $10 million, will
be compared with John Tortorella, whose reign included a trip to the
Eastern Conference finals and a trail of combustible dealings with the
media.
Based on his track record of 10 years behind the bench with Montreal and
Vancouver, Vigneault's demeanor is unlikely to ever mimic Tortorella's.
At his introduction during an event at Radio City Music Hall, Vigneault, 52,
said he understands his responsibility to be professional and respectful to
everyone from the front office to the players to the team's staff to reporters
and fans.
But in the end, it's a results business. The Quebec City native, who has
been a coach since he was 23, was brought to New York to win and win
often, especially in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
"I'm going into this with an open mind," Vigneault said. "I think [players]
should be, too . . . I'm going in with a clean slate; let's see what we can
write on that slate."
With Rangers president and general manager Glen Sather's blessing,
Vigneault will attempt to transform his inherited squad. He'll have a fresh
approach with puck possession, movement on the power play, activating
the defense to join the rush, employing different assistant coaches and
using advanced stats for deploying players and fatigue studies to help
energy levels.
"We needed a change in style," said Sather, who prefers an attacking style
and believes the game has evolved in that direction. "There were a number
of guys who were getting the crap kicked out of them in our end. We
needed to move the puck out quick. [Our defensive] style was perfect for a
couple of years, but it started to wear our team out . . . The injuries we had
this year, it started to take a toll on our club."
Having coached a Western Conference team in the Canucks for the past
seven seasons, Vigneault confessed little understanding of the Rangers'
pluses and minuses but will watch their 12 playoff games on his laptop as a
jumping-off point.
From a distance, he believes the Rangers have "the potential to have two
real solid offensive lines, and after that, Glen feels we've got a couple of
good young kids who are close."
Rick Nash, he said, "is an elite player . . . He's been through one year here.
He's going to be even better this year."
Henrik Lundqvist, Vigneault said, is "one of the best goalies in the world."
On defense, he wants players to join the rush and create more three-ontwos and four-on-threes. "There's real good balance,'' he said. "We've got
the potential to join the rush a little more. I think the skill level is there."
Ryan Callahan likely will remain captain, Vigneault said. He declined
comment on the future of Brad Richards, whose contract could be bought
out.
Vigneault, who is fine with being called A.V., will have at least two
assistants, "one guy taking care a little more of the PP and another guy a
little more on the PK. They will be guys that have NHL experience and I
want guys that are upbeat and positive. I can't do that by myself."
The Dolan family owns controlling interests in the Rangers, Madison
Square Garden and Cablevision.
Cablevision owns Newsday.
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681997
New York Rangers
Coaching is not much about vastly different styles these days -- it's why
Tortorella is on the cusp of replacing Vigneault in Vancouver, where the
Canucks supposedly need an anti-Vigneault to shake up their squad.
Alain Vigneault the right choice for Rangers
Sather made the right choice, and Vigneault said the right things. On this
day, the Rangers had some winning moves.
June 21, 2013 1:17 PM By ARTHUR STAPLE arthur.staple@newsday.com
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 06.22.2013
MEDIA FRIENDLY While, former Rangers coach John Tortorella Getting to
know Alain Vigneault John Tortorella looks on from the bench in Rangers
coaches through the years
Web links
Brad Richards #19 of the New York Rangers Rangers 2013: Keep 'em or
dump 'em? Newsday columnist Steve Zipay Steve Zipay's Blue Notes
There are no prizes for winning press conference day, but the Rangers took
the right first step on Friday.
Glen Sather's surprising decision to fire John Tortorella on May 29 left the
Rangers president with a host of attractive candidates. He interviewed only
two in person, and it was a clear choice -- between the experienced
favorite, Alain Vigneault, and the sentimental favorite, Mark Messier.
And it was close, according to people familiar with Sather's decision.
Vigneault offered over two decades of coaching, from the Quebec junior
league on up to the Vancouver Canucks. Messier offered what The Captain
offers: Leadership and a commanding presence.
Sather could have gone out on a shaky limb by making the emotional
choice, by installing Messier, his good and loyal friend, as coach with only a
couple weeks' experience doing so, in an international tournament a few
years back.
That's not to say Messier wouldn't have succeeded. It's never a good thing
to bet against him. But is a guy with his jersey in the rafters of Madison
Square Garden going to hunker down to watch game video at 2 a.m. at the
Raleigh Renaissance?
It had to be a question that Sather asked himself after sitting down with
Vigneault, a guy who got fired from his dream job coaching the Canadiens
in 2000 and started back in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League to
work his way back. Experience may not have been the only factor in
choosing between Vigneault and Messier, but it was a big one.
"It's not the only reason you hire a coach," Sather said on Friday. "[But] it
matters, sure."
As the Nets embark on an experiment with the just-retired Jason Kidd, and
the Warriors have done the same with Mark Jackson, there's reason to
wonder whether Messier could have been the right choice.
But hockey, with one head coach and two or three assistants, is not
basketball or baseball, with a head coach or manager and a bevy of
specialized position coaches. Messier may yet go off and do the work, in
junior or minor-league hockey, to become a more viable candidate, but now
was not his time.
Vigneault validated Sather's decision with his personality on Friday as well.
By all accounts, he's the anti-Tortorella -- patient and willing to put up with
plenty, but also a coach who commands respect and knows how to crack a
whip when necessary.
He already sounded like a man who knows what he's looking for out of his
new team -- a more up-tempo style and a willingness to bend his system to
the skills of the Rangers.
Tortorella wasn't able to do that last season, and it cost him his players'
faith.
"That style worked for a couple seasons," Sather said, "but it started to
wear on the team. A lot of guys had the crap kicked out of them with injuries
and those things."
Vigneault will want to see creativity from Rick Nash, from Derick Brassard,
from Michael Del Zotto. He will not want his team to collapse in front of
Henrik Lundqvist as often.
But beyond that, not much will look different. Vigneault said on Friday that
he "wants the team to play the right way," and that phrase has echoed
around the Garden for all of Tortorella's five seasons.
681998
New York Rangers
Give him credit, Sather does it his way
21 June 2013, 8:59 pm
(heck) kicked out of them in our end because we constantly had to defend
our own end.
“I mean, that style was perfect for our team for a couple of years. But it
started to wear our team out. There’s nothing wrong with that style, but with
the injuries we had this year, it started to take a toll on our club, and it was
time to do something to change the style so that we can go farther and
maybe compete longer.”
By Rick Carpiniello
Sather said the goal is to win the Cup, and that Dolan’s sole goal was is the
same, though it’s been 19 years without for the Rangers now, 13 under
Sather, who last won in 1990 as Edmonton’s GM.
NEW YORK—Glen Sather made it abundantly clear Friday that the decision
to fire coach John Tortorella was his.
It’s on him now, again, and he has no problem with that at all.
It wasn’t a mutiny or a player revolt, he insisted. It wasn’t a reaction to the
Rangers’ five-game playoff loss to what has surely shown itself to be a
terrific and strong Boston team.
So, in introducing Alain Vigneault as the newest Rangers coach — the 35th
in team history, and the sixth under his watch, — Sather showed that he still
has his old fastball, that he still has the guts to make the big move.
And good for him. Sather’s surely had some follies since taking over James
Dolan’s team in June of 2000. The best coach he hired was the one he just
showed the door. The new one?
“I’d be in a lot of trouble if I felt we made a mistake,” he said when asked
how he could be sure this was is the right hire. “No, I think we’ve got the
right guy. Picking any coach, it has to be a gut feeling, whether you and he
can get along and whether your ideas mesh with everybody in the
organization. … I think we have the right guy.”
Sather deserves credit on a number of levels here. First, for being bold and
secure enough to fire a guy who had one of the best coaching seasons in
team history just a year earlier. Second, for hiring the experienced and
relatively successful Vigneault when his right-hand special assistant, and a
New York icon with whom Sather has had an extremely close relationship
since the late 1970s, a the completely inexperienced Mark Messier, wanted
the job.
And third, for putting it all right squarely on his own shoulders. Right exactly
where it belongs.
It’s still Sather’s team. He has a bunch of good people around him, advising
him, doing a lot of the personnel work for him, and even readying for the
day he ultimately hangs it up — a day it seemed was getting closer, but
now, after Friday’s press conference, seems still very far into the future.
He’s still “Slats.” He still does it his way. With input, yes, but he makes the
final call, and he lives with the consequences.
Since Sather told Messier he chosed Vigneault, and Messier told Sather
that he wanted to think it over, they haven’t spoken. Messier told him they’d
talk in the coming week or so.
“It was a difficult decision, there’s no question about it,” Sather said. “We’ve
had a long relationship. We’ve both grown up with each other. Maybe I was
a little more grown up than him at the beginning. But it was a difficult
decision to make. But running this hockey club is not easy all the time, and
tough decisions are sometimes made for tough reasons. I just think at this
stage, AV is the man.”
There had been all this belief — including right here — that Tortorella was
safe in this shortened, injury-and-slump-wrecked season. Then two days
after breakup day, May 29, he was fired. Then came the reports that Henrik
Lundqvist was the strongest dissenting voice in Sather’s ear. Lundqvist
denied that this week. People inside the organization say there’s nothing to
that. Friday, Sather said it.
“Someplace this story got started,” he said. “There hasn’t been a player
that’s complained to me about Torts. So let’s get that on the table, get that
cleared up for once and for all.”
Sather said he had spoken to Tortorella — who was reportedly closing in on
the odd situation in which he would replace Vigneault as Vancouver’s coach
— about changing the style of play. And that Tortorella was “beyond
stubborn,” adding that was a trait he really liked in his former coach. But he
added that he had thought about replacing Tortorella at times during the
season and playoffs, and then commended himself for keeping “the secret”
well. So, no, it didn’t happen in those 48 hours after the exit meetings.
“I think we needed a change in styles,” Sather said. “You look at the injuries
we had over the years, and a number of guys who were really getting the
Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 06.22.2013
681999
New York Rangers
It’s official: Alain Vigneault is the Rangers’ head coach
21 June 2013, 11:11 am by smayer
Courtesy of the Rangers:
NEW YORK, June 21, 2013 – New York Rangers President and General
Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has named Alain
Vigneault as the team’s new Head Coach.
“Alain Vigneault has had success throughout his career and his coaching
style is a perfect fit for the Rangers,” said Sather in making the
announcement. “We feel very fortunate to have him leading this team, as
we continue to pursue our ultimate goal of winning the Stanley Cup.”
Vigneault, 52, becomes the 35th Head Coach in the 87-year history of the
Rangers. He joins the organization after serving as Head Coach of the
Vancouver Canucks for seven seasons. Under his guidance, Vancouver
compiled a 313-170-57 record for a .632 winning percentage in 540 games.
He led the Canucks to back-to-back Presidents’ Trophies in 2010-11 and
2011-12, and captured the Northwest Division title in six of his seven
seasons in Vancouver.
In 2010-11, Vigneault guided Vancouver to franchise records with 54 wins
and 117 points to capture the first Presidents’ Trophy in club history, as the
Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since 1994.
He was a finalist for the Jack Adams Award as the NHL’s top head coach
following that season and also served as an assistant coach at the 2011
NHL All-Star Game.
Vigneault guided the Canucks into the top five in the NHL in goals per game
in each of the last three full seasons, including first overall in 2010-11, and
ranked in the top six in the league in power play percentage from 2009-10
to 2011-12. In 2006-07, Vancouver established franchise records in wins
(49) and points (105) to capture the Northwest Division title and their first
playoff berth since 2003-04, in his first season with the Canucks. Vigneault
was awarded the Jack Adams Award following that season in recognition of
his achievements.
Vigneault previously served as Head Coach of the Montreal Canadiens
from 1997-98 to 2000-01, becoming the organization’s second youngest
coach in club history at the age of 36. He led the Canadiens to the Eastern
Conference Semifinals in his first season as Head Coach, and was voted
runner-up for the Jack Adams Award following the 1999-00 season.
Vigneault also served as an Assistant Coach with the Ottawa Senators from
1992-93 to 1995-96.
The Quebec City, Quebec native has compiled a 422-288-35-61 record for
a .583 winning percentage in 806 career games. He finished the 2012-13
season ranked sixth among active NHL coaches in games coached and
seventh for most wins. On February 1, 2013, Vigneault registered his 400th
career win in his 766th game coached in the NHL, becoming the eighth
fastest coach to reach the mark behind Scotty Bowman (690 games), Glen
Sather (694 games), Mike Babcock (699 games), Toe Blake (724 games),
Dave Tippett (729 games), Mike Keenan (731 games), and Ken Hitchcock
(736 games).
In 2005-06, Vigneault led Vancouver’s American Hockey League (AHL)
affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, to a 44-24-12 record and the second round of
the Calder Cup Playoffs. He also has 10 seasons of head coaching
experience in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with Trois
Rivieres (1986-87), Hull (1987-92), Beauport (1995-97), and P.E.I. (200305). Vigneault led the Hull Olympiques to the 1988 Memorial Cup after
capturing the QMJHL championship, and was named CHL Coach of the
Year following that season.
Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Vigneault appeared in 42 games over
two seasons with the St. Louis Blues from 1981-82 to 1982-83. Originally
selected by the Blues as an eighth round choice, 167th overall, in the 1981
NHL Entry Draft, the defenseman registered two goals, five assists and 82
penalty minutes in his NHL career. After retiring as a player in 1984,
Vigneault went on to serve as a scout with the Blues for two seasons from
1984-85 to 1985-86.
Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 06.22.2013
682000
Ottawa Senators
After Detroit doesn’t sign him, Ottawa native Alan Quine heads back into
the NHL draft
By Ken Warren, OTTAWA CITIZEN June 21, 2013
Alan Quine spent part of Friday in the gym working on his boxing skills, just
in case there’s a need to add that physical touch during the next stage of
his hockey career.
It’s also a sign that he’s not just sitting idly around, even while waiting in
limbo.
Quine, the 20-year-old centre from Ottawa who was originally drafted by the
Detroit Red Wings in the 2011 entry draft (third round, 85th overall), wasn’t
signed to an entry-level deal by Detroit before June 1.
That means he’s nobody’s property, once again eligible for all 30 teams to
select at the June 30 NHL entry draft in New Jersey.
Quine, 5-11 and 188 pounds and a self-described “two-way player who
needs to shoot more,” could be a late-round selection, considering that he
posted some big numbers – 14 goals, 27 assists and a plus 29 in only 28
games – after being traded to the Belleville Bulls from the Peterborough
Petes last season.
If he’s not chosen, Quine is optimistic he’ll be signed as a free agent, with
eyes on at least earning a spot somewhere in the American Hockey League
next season.
“I’m not sure what to think, whether it’s better to be drafted or to sign
afterwards,” said Quine, who will keep an eye on the draft developments,
even though he’s not planning to go to New Jersey.
“But it’s a big opportunity for me to prove myself, one way or another. I’m
aware of a lot of guys who have gone through situations like this or maybe
never even drafted at all. All that matters is that you find a way to prove
yourself. Right now, it’s kind of a wait and see thing for me.”
Quine’s junior career hardly developed as planned.
Selected second overall by Kingston in the OHL’s priority draft in 2009, he
had the misfortune of joining an organization that couldn’t escape the
league basement.
He was traded to Peterborough during the 2010-11 season and while he
was a point-a-game player, his plus/minus numbers were terrible, partly due
to playing on another weak team.
He received a taste of the AHL at the end of the 2011-12 season, with one
assist in three games with Grand Rapids. He wasn’t, however, part of
Grand Rapids run to the Calder Cup title in the spring.
Detroit, boasting a full complement of 50 players under contract, opted not
to sign Quine on the dotted line.
“They have a lot of players in the system, a lot of veteran guys and they did
really well (by winning the AHL title),” said Quine.
“I have a lot of respect for that organization.”
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 06.22.2013
682001
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators shouldn't rush to sign Danny Briere
By Don Brennan,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Friday, June 21, 2013 08:50 PM EDT | Updated: Friday, June
21, 2013 08:59 PM EDT
Danny Briere might be a perfect fit for the Senators ... if he were four inches
taller and 40 pounds heavier.
But as much as the NHL game now has more room for lightweight forwards
than it did a few years ago, Ottawa already has too many of them in JeanGabriel Pageau, Cory (Little Train) Conacher, Erik Condra, Kyle Turris and
(on the way) Mike Hoffman.
That's not to mention Erik Karlsson and Andre Benoit on the back end.
"All their small sweaters are in use," is the way one NHL executive put it.
That said, the generously listed 5-foot-10, 179-pound Briere -- whom the
Philadelphia Flyers set free with a compliance buyout this week -- should
probably expect a call from Senators GM Bryan Murray. He's just too good
not to consider.
At 35, he's still got game. The best of it is generally seen in the playoffs,
where he has scored 50 goals and 109 points in 108 career appearances.
Briere would help answer the Senators' need for speed and skill, if not size,
and he's from Gatineau, a good guy who would mesh smoothly with the
dressing room chemistry.
He'd also make the retirement of Daniel Alfredsson easier to withstand,
whether it be this year or next, and he would be an extremely positive
influence and example for Pageau, who calls Briere his idol, and Conacher,
who also needs to learn how to survive and thrive in a small sweater.
Before the Senators offer Briere a contract, however, other moves will have
to be made, either with their current Top 6 forward group or involving the
undersized guys they already employ. And Murray must be contemplating
that, as well as all sorts of options, as the most crucial time of the offseason, the free agent period, starts July 5.
My two cents: Unless they know they can add a better forward or two -- and
there will be many available -- the Senators should pass on Briere, who is
certain to get a two-year offer from somebody. He could be one more hit to
the head from becoming the next Marc Savard.
WHERE DID THE SUMMER GO?
The Gatineau Olympiques held their 2013-14 season kick-off press
conference Friday at the Chateau Cartier, introducing both new and key
players as well as announcing that training camp will start Aug. 11 and
exhibitions will be played Aug. 17, Aug. 30 and, against the 67's, on Sept.
7.
The most delicate question was asked in a small scrum to GM/coach Benoit
Groulx: will he still be with the team at that point? There's been speculation
Groulx will join Alain Vigneault's staff in New York with the Rangers. "To be
honest, I'm not involved in that," said Groulx. "I haven't received a phone
call. That's it. I have a job and I'm not looking to get another one." So you
expect to be in Gatineau for camp? "Yes," bristled Groulx. "I've been saying
that for months now." ... Martin Brodeur might have been in Gatineau to see
his son pull on an Olympiques jersey for the first time, but he was in
Toronto at an EA Sports function. Brodeur and Columbus Blue Jackets
goalie Sergei Bobrovsky are the finalists in voting for the cover of the NHL
14 cover. Results will be announced June 28. "I don't know if he's going to
win it or not," sand Anthony Brodeur. "He's excited about it, but I think more
everybody that works around him is excited about it. But it's pretty cool to
see my dad might be on the cover of that game." ... Just wondering, does
Eugene Melnyk still have the money to get the Senators closer to the salary
cap and closer to being a contender?
TO THE POINT
With nine home games and only eight opponents in the league, the Ottawa
RedBlacks will push for two visits by the Montreal Alouettes next year.
Attendance at Frank Clair Stadium grew by about 5,000 when the Als were
in town to take on the Renegades ... Bryan Bickell, we are told, will marry
an Ottawa girl this summer. Now does that hurt or hinder the Senators'
chances of signing him as a free agent? Do you really like your inlaws? ...
Why is Johnny Boychuk's name not being mentioned as a possible
candidate for Canada's Olympic team? From what we can tell, the Boston
Bruins blueliner possesses the best hip check in the game and really, does
anybody have a harder shot? ... Best Twitter entertainment going comes
from "not Dany Heatley" @DanyAllStar15. It's totally x-rated, but apparently,
103,388 people don't mind ... Am I the only one who remembers the smell
of Canadian Tire when walking into the store as a kid? It was the rubber or
something, and it was great. Did it disappear when the place started selling
groceries? Can they somehow bring it back to the renamed local NHL
arena? Please?
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 06.22.2013
682002
Philadelphia Flyers
Ashbee scholarship winner became Boston-area doctor, but remains a
Flyers fan
"It made sense to me to become a cancer specialist to try to help those
folks who may need it the most," he said. "Particularly on 'hard' days, my
winning the Ashbee award so many years ago reminds me I am doing what
I was meant to do."
Right now, one of his cancer patients is a former Bruin who played during
the Bobby Orr era.
Posted: Saturday, June 22, 2013, 3:01 AM
DuBois, who frequently returns to Rydal to visit his parents and relatives he attended the Flyers' late-season win over the Bruins at the Wells Fargo
Center - respectfully declined to identify the ex-player.
Jon DuBois has a rooting interest in the Boston Bruins as they try to win
their second Stanley Cup in the last three seasons.
"I am sure my patient would allow me to use his name, I am uncomfortable
asking him because he would likely only say yes because of my being his
physician," he said. "I would never want to take advantage of my role as his
oncologist."
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
"I'm a Bruins fan mostly because my kids grew up with the Bruins," DuBois,
a graduate of Abington High and a highly respected cancer doctor at a
Massachusetts hospital, said the other night. "But I grew up with the Flyers
and followed every game. I'm a Bruins fan as a transplant, but deep down,
you're always a Flyers fan."
DuBois, 52, helped coordinate the care of cancer patients whose
treatments were disrupted by the Boston Marathon bombings and hospital
lockdowns in April.
DuBois had his career path indirectly established by the death of one of the
Flyers' former players, defenseman Barry Ashbee, who died of leukemia in
1977.
DuBois' medical journey began after the Flyers established memorial
scholarships in Ashbee's name. They were awarded to two senior high
school hockey players who demonstrated skill and good sportsmanship.
DuBois, who grew up in Rydal and was captain of the Abington team, was
the public-school winner in 1979.
When he accepted the award, DuBois said he would dedicate his career to
Ashbee by becoming a cancer doctor.
He kept his promise.
At the time he won the award, DuBois was working as an orderly during the
summer at Jeanes Hospital in Fox Chase, gaining exposure to cancer
patients.
When Ashbee died, DuBois said, "it solidified my interest in not just
becoming a physician, but also becoming a hematologist and medical
oncologist. His passing from a medical illness like leukemia crystallized for
me how vulnerable we all are from a medical perspective, and that even
'famous' people were not immune to such illnesses."
Donna Ashbee, Barry's wife, resides in Newtown Square and still attends
most of the Flyers' home games. She was moved that her husband had
given DuBois incentive.
"It's so wonderful that it gave him a goal to aim for," she said.
DuBois is medical director of the Massachusetts General Cancer Center at
Emerson Hospital-Bethke, located just outside Boston in Concord, Mass.
He is chief of hematology-oncology, and chairman of the cancer committee
at Emerson.
DuBois attended Bowdoin College in Maine and then went to the Medical
College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He finished his medical and
specialty training in Boston.
DuBois, a forward, played hockey for two years at Bowdoin, a Division III
school. He later helped coach in one of his son's youth hockey teams. "But
because of always being on-call at the hospital, I could only serve as an
assistant," he said.
DuBois and his wife, Heidi, a Cheltenham native, have three children:
Benjamin, 19; Andrew, 16; and Emma, 13. They live in the Boston suburb
of Needham. It's Bruins territory, a town where former Boston forward/bad
boy Derek Sanderson resides, as does former Bruins coach Mike Milbury.
Although he is rooting for the Bruins to defeat Chicago in the Finals, DuBois
says the Flyers were "everything to me and my friends during the '70s. I
remember playing street hockey after school every day. Everything in my
room was Flyers, including a large painted logo on my door. The Flyers
fueled my passion for ice hockey."
And Ashbee steered him to a path to help find a cure for cancer.
DuBois paused.
"I can tell you. He does tell me that Bobby Clarke was as dirty a player as
some people say," DuBois added with a smile.
As for the battle against cancer, DuBois says progress is being made.
"We are coming along with more molecular and targeted therapies, rather
than throwing more chemotherapy and poison therapies at patients," he
said. "Chemotherapy is a nonspecific, less-targeted approach. If you can
target a particular mutation of a cancer cell and design a medicine against
that, it's a much more elegant way to kill the cancer cell - as opposed to
chemo or trying to throw weed killer at it, so to speak. And there's less side
effects and toxicity to the patient."
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
682003
Philadelphia Flyers
Agent sounds desperate in making his case for Bryzgalov
Frank Seravalli , Daily News Sports Columnist
Posted: Sunday, June 23, 2013, 3:01 AM
ILYA BRYZGALOV'S agent has been on a media frenzy this week.
Spreading his gospel far and wide, Ritch Winter took to the airwaves of
Calgary yesterday morning to push his agenda.
I'm not buying any of it.
Winter spoke to Sportsnet 960 radio in Alberta and again reiterated that
Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren told him this week he has no plans
to exercise a compliance buyout on his client next week.
This time around, he included a key component of the conversation he
forgot to share when he spoke with the Daily News on Tuesday:
"Paul has also been candid enough to say, 'Never say never. I don't know
what I'm going to be offered at some point, so I'm not going to guarantee
you anything, except that I will give you plenty of warning if I do so,' " Winter
told Sportsnet radio.
That's a big caveat to leave out. He intimated to me Tuesday that Holmgren
spoke in absolutes.
And that wasn't even the most interesting part of his interview, which came
only days before the Flyers must decide whether to pay Bryzgalov $23
million over the next 14 years to not play for the team. Buyouts may be
handed out as soon as 48 hours after the Stanley Cup finals conclude.
Winter said that Bryzgalov is "up for the challenge" to try to turn things
around with the Flyers, despite his clear unhappiness with his situation at
the end of the season.
"It's a very tough, tough situation, because the media, for whatever reason,
tends to focus on goaltending," Winter said. "He'd rather stay in
Philadelphia, he'd rather work through this, he'd rather make Philadelphia's
goaltending a strength instead of a weakness.
"The easy route out is to make noise like you don't like it there, like you
don't want to stay there, like you're going to run away from [Philadelphia
media], who constantly attack you with no fact or basis.
Talk about asking for a ticket out of town.
Winter went on to say on the radio that Bryzgalov's public persona is based
on "a kind of perception that does not back up with reality."
"I think he struggles at times because, when your second language is
English and you're dealing with a sports media that isn't very well-schooled
in Russian studies, what comes out and what comes across is unique and
different," Winter said. "He is one of the most intelligent athletes I've ever
met. He's an avid fan of American history and Russian studies, and he can
quote verbatim things that most professors would have a hard time
remembering.
"It'd be interesting to see if the major league in the world was Russian, and
the majority of the best players were American or Canadian, how a guy like
Tim Thomas might be interepreted in Moscow if he was trying to wax poetic
about his political philosophy."
Thomas, an American, was appropriately mocked for not attending his
team's Stanley Cup celebration at the White House ion 2011 because he
disagreed with President Obama's views. And reporters still think he is
strange for abruptly walking away from the game, leaving $3 million on the
table so he could live in seclusion in Colorado.
Winter went on to question the way the Flyers handle goaltending, citing
Sergei Bobrovsky's move from being "moderately successful" in
Philadelphia to winning a Vezina Trophy in Columbus.
"I think you have to start asking yourself, 'What's wrong with the
Philadelphia environment?' " Winter said. "There's lots of issues that we've
discussed. I won't go public with the details of the discussions I've had with
Paul Holmgren, but there are issues with the way they focus on goaltenders
and the way they manage that position.
"It's the way they approach goaltending. The goalies always see the puck in
Phoenix. In Philadelphia, goalies aren't always seeing the puck, because
guys are blocking shots, they're in positions where they should probably be
clearing out lanes. Those are the things that need to be looked at."
Winter said he did not force Bryzgalov to sign his 9-year, $51 million deal
with the Flyers in 2011, but acknowledged that there "wasn't any other
opportunity." The Flyers, one of the few teams looking for a starter at the
time, outbid themselves for his services. And now they are paying the price.
"When you get only one offer on July 1, it becomes pretty attractive, right?"
Winter asked.
Bryzgalov is one of the most intelligent athletes I've ever covered. Winter
isn't lying, but isn't stupid, either.
"At the end of the day, he would rather look face-first into that storm and
face the challenge and make the changes necessary for the goaltending to
be part of the success Philadelphia has, rather than run away from it. Ilya
Bryzgalov is a lot of things, but he's not afraid of a challenge."
With this humongous decision for the Flyers looming in days, Winter is
pushing hard. He wants to make it seem as if Bryzgalov is the good guy
through all of this and wants to stay. He wants to paint Holmgren as a liar.
And maybe he wants his client to be freed from this circus by going public
with it all.
Well, Bryzgalov has made noises that he does not like it in Philadelphia.
Some Flyers said Bryzgalov bragged to teammates he might get bought out
after the season.
Why else would a veteran agent, who once took a lengthy hiatus from
interviews with the media because he said "there was no benefit," suddenly
decide to speak?
"It's OK, guys," Bryzgalov said, according to a teammate, speaking on a
condition of anonymity. "I will get bought out. I will get paid for this deal and
I will get paid double to play for a new team somewhere else."
"Him getting bought out would be the most rewarding financial opportunity
he could pursue," Winter said. "He would get almost all of the money he
would be contracted to receive and he would get another deal that would
considerably surpass the difference."
He chided the media during a news conference on the day the Flyers'
cleaned out their lockers, asking for accountability and wondering, "What
good have you done for this city?"
Instead, Winter said Philadelphia is the best opportunity for Bryzgalov.
He trashed Philadelphia, saying he goes there only to "play and exercise."
"I do not really like that sort of town," Bryzgalov told Russian news website
Championat on May 15. "Me and New York do not like. A big, bustling city
with a grim gateways. Philadelphia is the same . . . Too many do not work,
live on welfare and get food stamps for. They just do not want to work."
In that same interview, he said he saw "logic" in the policies of Soviet
dictator Joseph Stalin, who ordered the execution of tens of millions of
people.
"He knew what he was doing," Bryzgalov said, as translated by a Russian
journalist for Yahoo Sports. "He is described as a 'bloody tyrant.' But at the
time it couldn't be any other way. Yes, there were innocent people who
were victims of repressions . . . But it happens."
"Because if he seizes the opportunity available to him and plays like I know
he's capable, behind a solid defense that's capable of supporting him, he
will have created the best legacy," Winter said. "He will not have run from a
challenge. It's the best opportunity, because it's the biggest challenge."
Just as in 2011, it's the best opportunity for Bryzgalov because it's the only
opportunity. No NHL team will take a flier on a mediocre, expensive
goaltender with a big mouth and a bad reputation.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 06.22.2013
682004
Philadelphia Flyers
For Briere, parting is sweet sorrow
Posted: Friday, June 21, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 6:26 am, Fri Jun 21,
2013.
By Wayne Fish Staff writer
VOORHEES — Even though he knew for the better part of six months that
this day would come, Danny Briere still looked a bit shaken when he had to
make his feelings public on Thursday about the Flyers buying out his
contract.
He had a good six-year run in Philadelphia, and there was no reason to feel
bitter about a clause in the collective bargaining agreement that cost him a
couple more years here.
“Yes, it’s not an easy day,’’ Briere told reporters gathered at the Skate
Zone. “But at the same time, I’ve seen all the rumors, and reality was that it
was going to happen.
“It’s sad, but at the same time, hopefully it’s new doors that open. New
opportunities.
Briere established himself as a clutch player with the Flyers. He broke the
team playoff scoring record with 30 points in 2010 and led the NHL in
postseason scoring from 2009-11 with 52 points.
“There’s been a lot of good times,’’ Briere said. “The first five years here
were amazing. Obviously last year, not making the playoffs was a tough
season — the lockout, the short season. That was the tough one.
“But before that, the previous five, there’s a lot of good memories. But the
one that I think stands out the most is the playoff run (2010), making the
playoffs on the last regular-season game on the shootout and then going on
that run all the way to Game 6 of the (2010) Stanley Cup finals. That’s
definitely the best little stretch of my time here.”
Even back in January, Briere saw the handwriting on the wall.
“Even before I had the chance to think about it, I think a few names popped
out as possible buyouts, and my name was up there,’’ Briere said. “So right
away, I knew it was a definitely going to be a possible issue, but you try not
to think about it too much.
“You try to play and not think about that it might happen and you might have
to move, but at the same time, I wasn’t dealing with that. The toughest part
was not winning, not being in the playoffs and not having a good year as a
team. That was definitely a lot tougher than having to deal with my own
issues.”
The two sides are parting on good terms.
“Obviously, I’m not very happy with the way last season went. But it’s also
extra motivation moving forward, to prove that I can still play, and hopefully
I still have a few more years.’’
“We met last week,’’ Briere said, “and you know what, that’s why I have so
much respect for the Flyers organization ... Mr. Holmgren, Mr. (Ed) Snider,
everybody that works in the Flyers organization. They were respectful the
whole time.
Briere, 35, said he was told by the Flyers last week that they were buying
out the last two years of his original eight-year, $52 million contract. The
Flyers owe him two-thirds of the $5 million left on the deal ($3.3 million), but
will save $6.5 million in cap money each of the next two seasons.
“It wasn’t an easy thing for them either ... meeting with me and having to
break the news. But they did it with a lot of class, and I’ll always be grateful
for that and also my time here as a Flyer.”
For that reason, it was simply a financial windfall from which the Flyers
could not walk.
“I met with Danny last week and informed him of our decision to use a
compliance buyout on his contract,’’ general manager Paul Holmgren said.
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make, as Danny has been a very
good player for us over the past six years. Danny came to our organization
as a free agent in July of 2007 and has been a tremendous player, person
and role model in all aspects and, for that, we thank him.
“We wish him continued success and best wishes in any future endeavors.”
The buyout isn’t official until 48 hours after the Stanley Cup finals have
ended, and the earliest the champion can be determined is Monday night
(Boston and Chicago, tied 2-2, must play at least a Game 6 that night). And
Briere won’t be able to sign with another team until the free-agent signing
period begins on July 5.
Although Briere won’t be playing any more hockey in Philadelphia, he does
plan to maintain his home here.
“Obviously, I’ve been here a long time,’’ said Briere. “This is home now for
me and my family (three sons).
“Yeah. This is my home. Wherever I’m going to end up, the kids are staying
here and I’m coming back here. Yeah, this is my home. This is what we
consider home now.”
Briere has been working out at the Skate Zone to stay in shape. Where he
goes next is anybody’s guess. He’s coming off a disappointing season (six
goals, 16 points) but believes he has a few years left.
“I don’t know at this point,’’ he said. “I haven’t really thought about that. In
my mind, I’m trying to get ready for the next season. I started working out.
It’s tough. It’s tough to picture, because I have no clue where I’m going to
be.
“We’re not allowed to talk to teams yet. You have no clue who’s interested,
where you might end up. At this time, it’s hard to see what’s going to
happen.
“You try to fight through it, try to get back in shape, at the same time, it’s
tough to work out when you’re watching the Stanley Cup playoffs going on
and wishing you were on the ice.”
Burlington County Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
682005
Philadelphia Flyers
Addressing Flyers' top offseason questions
If I had a dime for every time I was asked whether the Flyers will buy out
Ilya Bryzgalov, then I would buy out Ilya Bryzgalov. Another offseason has
created a great deal of intrigue for Flyers fans. Here’s a sampling of some
of the questions I’ve received through Twitter and e-mail, and how I think
the Flyers might react, beginning with the obvious:
Q. Will the Flyers use a buyout on Ilya Bryzgalov?
A. That’s the million dollar question! Check that, $23 million. The decision
will be based solely on money. Is the organization willing to eat $23 million
(two-thirds of what’s remaining on his contract) and spread it out over 14
years, and in doing so, suffer any embarrassment that comes after signing
the enigmatic goaltender to a nine-year, $51-million contract in 2011? Many
believe Bryz is a more likely compliance candidate in 2014 when the buyout
is $17.4 million. Either way, you’re paying a lot of money to essentially tell a
player to go somewhere else. If the Flyers are exploring the option, and can
stomach the payout, then do it now. Don’t hesitate. That’s tough to
stomach, but the financial commitment is the only aspect keeping Bryzgalov
in Philadelphia. The New York Islanders are the current clubhouse leaders
in the buyout department after paying out $17.6 million to Alexei Yashin in
2007.
Q. If the Flyers part with Bryzgalov, who would replace him?
A. We know Steve Mason is hungry and is looking to work his way back into
a starter’s role, but as of now, he can’t be trusted as a No. 1. If Tim Thomas
is eager to return to the NHL, regardless of his age, he’s worth bringing in
on the cheap for one season. Vancouver is expected to buy out Roberto
Luongo and the Flyers would have interest if the price is right. Plus, if
Nicklas Backstrom doesn’t re-sign with Minnesota, he would be an
attractive option. The offseason is shaping up to become a buyer’s market
when it comes to goaltending.
Q. Those guys are old. What about 24-year-old Jonathan Bernier?
A. He’s young with tremendous potential, but he’s an unproven commodity.
If the Kings are contacting perspective buyers for Bernier’s services, then
that will ignite a bidding war to which the Flyers may be wise not to engage
(see story). However, if there is genuine interest in Bernier, that could be
the catalyst that forces the Flyers to exercise their remaining buyout on
Bryzgalov. I believe the Flyers should retain their most prized assets for
something considerably bigger.
Q. The Flyers' priority should be defense. From where will that come?
A. The Flyers have plenty of defense actually. At last count, the team has
eight defensemen signed for next season, but if you measure their blue line
from top to bottom, it speaks more to quantity than quality. They could
make a play for Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle, but with the Mark Streit
signing, I don’t see the Flyers venturing down that desert road. I’m hearing
rumblings that the Predators could make Shea Weber available come July
23, the one-year anniversary of when Nashville matched the Flyers' 14-year
offer sheet. The Preds, coming off a terrible season, have a ton of money
locked up in two players (Pekka Rinne and Weber), and Paul Holmgren
would pull off a Chris Pronger-type megadeal in a micro-minute if they had
a chance at Weber ... and then we won’t have to have this discussion again
for a long time.
Q. Don't you think the Flyers need a scoring winger after failing to replace
Jaromir Jagr?
A. Yes. The Flyers need someone dynamic to play alongside Claude Giroux
and Jake Voracek. Bobby Ryan could be a possibility. I think he would be
rejuvenated playing in his hometown. However, if Boston decides to cut
Nathan Horton loose, he would become an attractive unrestricted free
agent. It will also be interesting to see what Jarome Iginla will command on
the open market following a subpar playoffs in Pittsburgh. Also, keep an
eye on New Jersey’s David Clarkson, who brings a Scott Hartnell-type
combination of grit and skill to the ice.
Q. Are there any buyout candidates the Flyers would have an interest in
signing?
A. Possibly Roberto Luongo if the Flyers agree to cut ties with Bryzgalov. I’ll
have a better indication once the buyouts begin.
Q. What will the Flyers do with the 11th pick?
A. They better not trade it, or at least, trade down. They’re in perfect
position to grab a talented defenseman, someone who can have an impact
in years to come. I also believe the Flyers need to deviate from their
organizational philosophy of grabbing the best player available when there
are obvious needs that should be addressed. I’d like to see them make an
attempt to grab Seth Jones, who’s a surefire NHL star, but the asking price
would be astronomical. Barring the Flyers not staying at No. 11, I’m hitching
my draft wagon to either Rasmus Ristolainen or Ryan Pulock.
Q. What will it cost to keep Claude Giroux?
A. Holmgren doesn’t have to pay market value for Giroux, who’s just an
RFA after next season. However, why nickel and dime the face of your
franchise, especially after signing Mike Richards and Jeff Carter to
unnecessarily lengthy deals in years past. There are some “comps”
Holmgren can utilize to help make that decision. You can point to Anaheim
captain Ryan Getzlaf and the eight-year, $66 million extension he received
back in March as a benchmark. Personally, I think Giroux is a better twoway player and I’d rather build a franchise around him than Getzlaf.
However, Giroux is not quite worthy of the eight years and $76 million
Evgeni Malkin recently agreed to, so let’s put G’s sticker price at $68 million
over eight years. Anything less will be a bargain over the long term. I
believe a deal will get done before the start of the season.
Q. Will the Flyers make the playoffs next season?
A. Ask me in September.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
682006
Philadelphia Flyers
Agent: Flyers have 'no current plans to buy out' Bryz
Holmgren has engaged in talks with the Los Angeles Kings about trading
for backup goalie Jonathon Bernier, a 24-year-old with star potential.
Meantime, Winter is waiting it out like everyone else.
Jun. 21, 2013 3:20 PM |
"Paul, has assured me that at this stage, 'There is no intention to buy
Bryzgalov out,'" Winter said. "Paul's at least consistent in saying, 'That's the
view today and I have no idea what could happen.'"
Written by
Courier-Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
Randy Miller
Ritch Winter, agent for Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, was on the phone with
Paul Holmgren for the fifth day in row Friday to see if anything has
changed.
Nothing as of yet.
Thus far, the Flyers general manager keeps telling Winter the same thing
during discussions on whether Bryzgalov will return to the Flyers next
season or have his contract bought out.
"Paul Holmgren told me they have no current plans to buy out Ilya
Bryzgalov," Winter told to the Courier-Post on Friday from his office near
Edmonton. "That said, things can change. Right? The skies could fall."
Winter says that he was reminded by Holmgren that stars Mike Richards
and Jeff Carter were traded away two summers ago after the organization
had no intention of dealing them.
"Holmgren is not the kind of guy to sit back after the team missing the
playoffs and do nothing," said Winter, who is founder and CEO of The
Sports Corporation. "You would expect that he would call everybody about
everything. That's his job.
"I can't say anymore. I don't speculate and I don't care that others do. I think
it's completely irresponsible (saying Bryzgalov will or won't be bought out)
because the Flyers haven't made that decision. And so, I am left to rely on
simply what Paul told me."
Bryzgalov was unavailable for comment. The 32-year-old Russian, Winter
said, currently is "vacationing somewhere on the planet" with his family."
Acquired in a trade-and-sign two summers ago, Bryzgalov hasn't lived up to
great expectations two seasons into his nine-year, $51-million contract,
although his heavy workload and team-defense contributed to his careerworst 2012-13 goals-against average (2.79) and save percentage (.900).
Winter said Holmgren praised Bryzgalov's play in their conversations.
"I've had numerous conversations with Paul Holmgren and he's told me Ilya
Bryzgalov is not the problem, he was not the problem last year and he was
one of their top three players,'" the agent said.
Two amnesty buyouts were added into the NHL's new collective bargaining
contract last winter for use this offseason or next to help teams stay under a
salary cap. The cap is dropping from $70.2 million in 2012-13 to $64.3
million next season due to last season's lockout resulting in lost income.
The Flyers announced on Thursday that they intend to buy out the final two
years on Danny Briere's contract, a move that will cost them $3.3 million
over the next four seasons and save them $6.5 million of salary-cap space
the next two.
Not counting Briere, the Flyers still are $1.4 million over the 2013-14 cap.
Buying out Bryzgalov would save the Flyers $5.66 million in cap space for
the next seven seasons, but they'd have to pay the goalie $23 million over
the next 14 years - two-thirds of the remaining $34.5 million on Bryzgalov's
contract over twice the remaining years.
This year's buyout window will begin 48 hours after the Stanley Cup Final
ends - Saturday or next Monday - and lasts through July 4, the day before
the unrestricted free agent signing period begins.
If the Flyers keep Bryzgalov, he'll either remain the starter or compete for
playing time with Steve Mason, a 25-year-old former Rookie of the Year
who was acquired in a late-season trade from Columbus and played very
well starting six of the Flyers' final 10 games.
Another apparent option is buying out Bryzgalov and bringing in another
goalie either through free agency or a trade. It's been widely reported that
682007
Phoenix Coyotes
Dave Tippett agrees to contract extension with Phoenix Coyotes
By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:23 PM
Originally, coach Dave Tippett had no intention of associating himself with
the Coyotes.
Now, with long-term contract secure, Tippett and the Coyotes seem
inseparable.
He hunkered down in his off-season home in Minnesota, and he had
hobbies to consume him.
A sprawling plot of land to mow.
A garage to build motorcycles in.
More time than usual with his wife, Wendy.
A couple of teams expressed interest, but Tippett declined.
Because his career overlapped with Coyotes General Manager Don
Maloney for a partial season in Hartford, Tippett respectfully agreed to meet
with Maloney at the end of August to hear his pitch for the Coyotes gig
despite the confusion surrounding the franchise since it’d been plopped in
bankruptcy court three months prior.
“Don’t worry,” he told Wendy. “I’m not going to take the job.”
Tippett drove three hours into Minneapolis from his home, dropped Wendy
off at the Mall of America and met Maloney.
When he picked Wendy up from the mall, he told her, “I think I’m going to
take this job.”
“Are you kidding me?” she said.
“I’m intrigued by it,” Tippett said. “Don and I get along so well. I like their
team. I think they’re better than they’re playing, and I think they can win.”
Wendy was skeptical, unsure if the circumstances would enable Tippett to
continue to have success.
“They have no owner. They have no money,” she said. “His winning
percentage was so good, and, of course, I wanted him to keep winning
because that’s the name of the game. That’s how coaches are judged.”
But Tippett was unfazed.
He still is four years later.
Tippett agreed to a five-year contract extension Friday to remain with the
franchise even amid its ongoing search for stability. He’s expected to
officially sign the contract within the next few days.
“For four years we’ve been telling our players to be patient and be loyal and
hang in there,” Tippett said when reached by telephone in British Columbia.
“I don’t think that would have sent the right message if I decided to jump
ship now.”
Negotiations on a new deal started as soon as Maloney received a contract
in late May. The nuts and bolts of the deal were settled early but it went
unsigned while Tippett waited for clarity on the team’s long-term future.
That hasn’t been entirely resolved even after league brass announced last
week time was running out to keep the Coyotes in Glendale and declared
relocation an option.
But with Seattle considered the alternative should Renaissance Sports &
Entertainment not secure a lease agreement with the City of Glendale in the
coming weeks, which would trigger a sale from the NHL, Tippett had
enough information to make a decision.
“I’m still hopeful it stays in Arizona, but the management group, the
coaching group, would go to the next location and I’d be part of that,”
Tippett said. “I’m fine with that.”
In four seasons with the Coyotes, Tippett is 156-96-42 and has led the team
to three playoff berths highlighted by an appearance in the Western
Conference finals last spring.
He ranks second on the franchise’s all-time wins list and was recognized
with the Jack Adams Award as the league’s Coach of the Year for helping
the Coyotes amass 50 wins and 107 points in 2009-10.
His 427 wins in 10 seasons as an NHL coach is the second-most wins by a
coach in that span.
“He’s kind of like an old-school coach in the new-school way,” veteran
defenseman Derek Morris said. “He relates to people the best way he can
to get the best out of them, if that makes sense. So he’s not hard on
everybody or easy on everybody.
“He’s a coach that reads personalities really well and when things are going
tough for people, it’s time to step in and have a chat. He knows the best
way to approach everybody.”
Tippett ignored the lure of July 1 when he would have been able to receive
offers from other teams and wanted to recommit while there was still time
left to exclusively negotiate with impending free agents goalie Mike Smith
and center Boyd Gordon.
The goal, regardless of where this team lands, is to preserve its nucleus,
and retaining Tippett increases that possibility.
“I don’t think you have a coach out there that has better respect than him,”
Morris said, “and I think we’re pretty lucky to have him.”
Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.22.2013
682008
Phoenix Coyotes
July 2 looms as key day for Phoenix Coyotes deal
By Paul Giblin The Republic | azcentral.com Fri Jun 21, 2013 10:14 PM
The Phoenix Coyotes’ fate could be sealed — one way or the other — on
July 2.
Glendale City Council members emerged from a 3½-hour closed-door
meeting Friday anticipating that a contract with the team’s proposed new
owners could be ready for a vote early next month.
Representatives of the city and an investment group called Renaissance
Sports & Entertainment are expected to continue negotiations during the
weekend to finalize the proposed deal, said Glendale spokeswoman Julie
Watters.
If things go as planned, city officials would post details of the contract on
the city’s website as early as Monday and the council would schedule a
public council vote for July 2, she said.
Some council members wanted more reassurances from the city’s potential
partners, but the deal is nearly complete, Councilman Gary Sherwood said.
“There are a couple of things they want to get from Renaissance and one
from the league. They’re not deal-breakers by any means,” he said. He
declined to elaborate about the specific nature of the assurances.
No additional closed-door council meetings about the Coyotes have been
scheduled before July 2, which seems to indicate that the agreement is
already nearly locked in and ready for a vote.
“The assumption might be that they have the deal conceptually all put
together, but wish to control the announcement and not do it on a Friday
afternoon,” said Robbie Sherwood, a media and political consultant for
Strategies 360, a public-policy and public-relations firm.
The negotiations likely represent the last chance the city and the National
Hockey League have to end the four-year saga, during which the NHL has
tried to sell the franchise to an ever-changing cast of potential buyers.
The city’s dealings with Renaissance focus on a management agreement
for city-owned Jobing.com Arena, where the Coyotes have played since
2003.
Council members want a firm to operate the arena, and Renaissance
executives want management rights.
The council had budgeted $6 million a year to pay for the service, but
Renaissance executives have proposed a complicated deal in which the
city would guarantee about $15 million a year.
In exchange, Renaissance would give the city cuts of ticket surcharges,
parking fees and naming rights. The ownership group also would commit to
keeping the hockey team at the arena, drawing crowds to restaurants and
bars in the surrounding Westgate Entertainment District for 41 nights a
year.
Glendale and Renaissance representatives repeatedly have declined to
provide specifics of the proposed deal.
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said via e-mail, “We’ve been in touch
and are aware of the current timing. We will continue to monitor the process
and make decisions as appropriate.”
Coyotes spokesman Rick Nairn said the team’s players and staff were
standing by. “We’re waiting to see what happens,” he said.
Renaissance is headed by Canadian businessmen George Gosbee and
LeBlanc, who have said their intention is to keep the team in Glendale.
Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.22.2013
682009
San Jose Sharks
Sharks talking to Stalock; Greiss likely out
Kevin Kurz
June 21, 2013, 9:30 am
SHARKS CHECKLIST
No. 10 -- Keep Burns up top
No. 9 -- Return Gomez cheap
No. 8 -- Sign RFAs
No. 7 -- Stockpile prospects
No. 6 -- Explore trading Thornton, Boyle
No. 5 -- Add a scoring winger via free agency
No. 4 -- Re-sign Raffi Torres
No. 3 -- Extend Joe Pavelski
No. 2 -- Cut ties with Havlat
No. 1 -- Sign Couture long term
The Sharks are in discussions to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent
goaltender Alex Stalock, his agent told CSNCalifornia.com on Thursday
night.
The discussions are a very strong indication that the Sharks will not bring
back Thomas Greiss, who is also set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Stalock, 25, served as the Sharks’ emergency goaltender during the
Stanley Cup Playoffs and could be in line to become the backup to Antti
Niemi in 2013-14. Drafted by the Sharks in the fourth round in 2005, Stalock
made two appearances in 2013, coming on in relief of Niemi both times on
March 9 and 16. He allowed two goals on 13 shots in 42 minutes, posting
an 0-0-1 record.
In 38 games with Worcester in 2012-13, Stalock was 17-16-4 with a 2.60
goals-against average and .912 save percentage. He split time with Harri
Sateri, who could also challenge for the backup role in training camp.
Sateri, a restricted free agent, was 15-20-1 in 38 games with Worcester,
with a 2.86 GAA and .908 SP.
On Feb. 1, 2011, Stalock made his NHL debut in relief of Niemi, stopping
nine shots and allowing the Sharks to come from behind and defeat the
Phoenix Coyotes, 5-3, after they trailed 3-0. He suffered a serious nerve
injury behind his left knee just three days later after he was reassigned to
Worcester, and returned nearly a year later, appearing in a game with
Stockton (ECHL) on Jan. 21, 2012.
The St. Paul, Minnesota native is 1-0-1 with a .909 save percentage and
1.68 goals-against average in three career NHL games. As a restricted free
agent, Stalock signed a one-year contract extension last summer worth
$687,500 at the NHL level, according to CapGeek.com.
In 44 career games with the Sharks over parts of four seasons, Greiss, 27,
is 17-16-3 with a 2.52 GAA and .912 SP. In six games in 2013, Greiss was
1-4-0 with a 2.53 GAA and .915 SP.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
682010
Tampa Bay Lightning
Dana Tyrell evacuated from Calgary condo to avoid flooding
Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Friday, June 21, 2013 1:36pm
Lightning right wing Dana Tyrell is high and dry at his parents house in
Airdrie, Alberta. The neighborhood surrounding his Calgary condo, not so
much.
Tyrell evacuated his home Thursday night ahead of the expected major
flooding that has swamped not only Calgary -- reports out of Canada said
the Saddledome, home of the Flames, had water up to the 10th row of
seats -- but several communities in southern Alberta.
"My condo is right next to the Saddledome," Tyrell said. "It's crazy. I've
never seen anything like it."
Former Lightning general manager Jay Feaster, now GM of the Flames,
said his home in a Calgary suburb has not been affected.
The flooding, which occurred after heavy rains swelled the Bow and Elbow
rivers, was expected. The CBC in Canada said about 75,000 people were
evacuated.
Tyrell, 24, who grew up in Airdrie, about 15 miles north of Calgary, said his
17th floor condo will not be damaged by the flooding.
"Everything is shut down, everything is flooded," Tyrell said, and added, "I
wish I was in Tampa right now."
[Last modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 3:11pm]
Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 06.22.2013
682011
Toronto Maple Leafs
Nonis set for hectic off-season in Toronto
JAMES MIRTLE
TORONTO — The Globe and Mail
Published Friday, Jun. 21 2013, 10:29 AM EDT
Last updated Friday, Jun. 21 2013, 10:31 AM EDT
There is a poker game going on right now for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Management feels that with the cap coming down, prices on players should
as well.
But players (and their agents) have other ideas.
That’s not going to be a unique situation around the league this off-season
either, one that will start with a bang at the end of next week as GMs gather
in New York in advance of next week’s draft.
Leafs GM Dave Nonis may be busier than most, though, as he has four
unrestricted and six restricted free agents to contemplate re-signing, and
there’s a feeling out process taking place.
The cap is dropping nearly 9 per cent – from $70.2-million to $64.3-million –
in time for next fall and that may mean players aren’t able to get what
they’ve grown accustomed to.
Further complicating matters is the fact the NHL’s limit isn’t likely to return
to the $70-million mark for two or three seasons, depending on how
revenues grow.
That means that what constitutes market value isn’t shooting up the way it
has been every summer, and executives aren’t certain where it’ll settle.
“I can’t stress this enough: The cap is coming down,” Nonis said when
asked about stalled talks with centre Tyler Bozak, talks which CBC’s Elliotte
Friedman reported this week weren’t going all that well. “It’s the first time in
history that it’s come down, and we have to make sure we’re spending our
money wisely.
“Not to just retain all the players you have but be in a position where you
can try to get a different piece or two. We have to make sure if we’re
spending a significant amount of money and term on players that they line
up [with what we want to spend] and that it makes sense for us.”
At first glance, the Leafs appear to be in great shape cap wise, as the
richest organization in hockey has $18-million in space to give them more
room than all but seven other NHL teams.
Add in an expected compliance buyout next week for defenceman Mike
Komisarek and that number creeps over $22-million.
But Toronto’s restricted free agents alone should eat at least $10-million to
$11-million of that, leaving Nonis with only another $10-million to make
decisions on UFAs Bozak and Clarke MacArthur and attempt to upgrade in
other areas.
Nonis has been very quiet as to what’s coming next, but he did admit on
Thursday that progress has been slow with the team’s RFAs with the focus
is on the two weeks ahead, which includes a buyout period, the draft and
then free agency.
The buyout period is what hits first, opening 48 hours after the conclusion of
the Stanley Cup final, which will end Monday or Wednesday night, and
closing at 5 p.m. on July 4.
It’s expected that at least a dozen players will be bought out, beginning with
Danny Briere, who the Philadelphia Flyers bid an early adieu to on
Thursday afternoon.
Next to Komisarek, veteran blueliner John-Michael Liles is the next most
likely Leafs player to be targeted for that treatment given he is coming off a
difficult season and has three years remaining on a deal that pays $3.875million a season.
“I think if we decide to do something we’ll announce it prior,” Nonis said of
using the team’s two allotted compliance buyouts, which can be deployed
this summer or next. “But we haven’t come to that conclusion yet. There’s
no real need to do it [ahead of time].
“You never know what’s going to become available in terms of player
movement. Even if there’s a player [on your team] that may be bought out,
there’s always potential for money moving back and forth in deals. So we’re
not at that point of making a decision yet.
“It’s my experience you never know what’s going to happen. You don’t
know what other teams are thinking or what players might be available. So
for us to make that decision on a compliance buyout or two until we actually
have to – it doesn’t make sense to do it.”
Trade activity, meanwhile, is expected to pick up in the two or three days
prior to the draft next Sunday in Newark, and teams will then have a two
day negotiating window with other teams’ UFAs beginning July 3.
Free agency then opens in earnest at noon on July 5, although the big fish
may be spoken for in advance given how this process has opened the door
to that under the new collective agreement.
That includes Bozak, who will go looking for other offers on July 3 should he
not have a deal in hand from the Leafs.
If talks with Bozak don’t pan out, it’s highly likely that the Leafs pursue other
options down the middle, too. Mike Ribeiro, Derek Roy, Stephen Weiss,
Matt Cullen, Valtteri Filppula, Briere and Boyd Gordon are some of the
UFAs potentially available, although in general 2013 presents a fairly thin
free agent crop at every position and players may be overpaid.
Nonis, however, doesn’t believe he and Bozak’s agent, Wade Arnott, have
hit an insurmountable impasse.
“I wouldn’t talk about contract talks with any player,” Nonis said. “If there’s
talk that it’s not going well, it’s not coming from our side. Nothing has
changed from our standpoint. Tyler is a player that we like and we’d like to
have stay here in Toronto. If he wants to stay, there has to be a number
that has to make sense for both of us.
“We’re not saying we’re set in any one area,” he later added, declining to
target a specific area of need. “If we can improve and add a piece or two
that can help us, then we’ll definitely look to do it.”
As for the Leafs key RFAs, Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson will likely be
the trickiest to re-sign, as both had breakout years in the abbreviated
season and are due massive raises.
Toronto has kept its RFA talks on the back burner for now, as the buyouts,
trades and UFAs take centre stage over the coming weeks, but one or two
deals could still get done.
Don’t be surprised, however, if some file for arbitration to force negotiations
to pick up.
“[Assistant GM] Claude [Loiselle] has started with some of them, but it’s still
very premature,” Nonis said. “There’s not a lot going on. I wouldn’t doubt
that it takes quite a while to see where the market goes and where the
players think they fit in that market.
“[Kadri and Franson] did play well during that half season so you can’t not
reward their play and say that they didn’t play well for 48 games. Naz tailed
off at the end but he also played more hockey than anyone else. He’s
probably one of the few guys that did play 82. And Cody did a very good
job. His point totals were very good and he was a core part of our defence.
“So does a short season impact [how you evaluate] it? I would say yes, to a
point, but you also can’t discount what they did.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682012
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs are playing it safe in contract negotiations
Michael Traikos | 13/06/21 | Last Updated: 13/06/21 12:46 PM ET
Do not give a good player great money.
If there is one motto Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis is
living by during this off-season, it is the value of being frugal in a year where
the salary cap is going down from US$70.2-million to US$64.3-million.
Leafs are not surprised if Leo Komarov goes back to KHL
So far, he followed his own advice.
Nonis let energetic grinder Leo Komarov walk to Russia, because the
money to keep the restricted free agent was US$3- to $4-million more than
the Leafs were willing to offer. And as negotiations continue (at a snail’s
pace, mind you) with unrestricted free agent Tyler Bozak, the Leafs are
trying to stay conservative.
Nonis said on Thursday he would like to bring back Bozak as the team’s socalled No. 1 centre next season, but only if the price is right. The Leafs
reportedly believe that price to be around US$3.5- to US$4-million per
season, while Bozak’s camp is believed to be asking for somewhere around
US$5- to US$5.5-million.
“Nothing has changed from our standpoint,” Nonis said of ongoing
negotiations. “Tyler is a player we like, that we would like to stay here in
Toronto, and we think that he wants to stay. But there has to be a number
that makes sense for both of us.
If we decide to do something, we’ll announce it prior, but we haven’t
come to that conclusion yet
“But I can’t stress this enough: the cap is coming down. It’s the first time in
history that it’s come down and we have to make sure we’re spending our
money wisely and not just retain all the players we have.”
The Leafs might actually have some leverage in this regard. On Thursday,
the Philadelphia Flyers announced they would use a compliance buyout on
centre Danny Briere, who would be an upgrade over Bozak. As well, the
free agent market could include Florida’s Stephen Weiss, Washington’s
Mike Ribeiro and possibly more.
“You never what’s going to be available because things always change right
before free agency,” said Nonis. “Some players do get re-signed, but this
might be a summer where there are some players available that no one
expected to be available because the cap is going down and teams having
to make adjustments with either their own players because they’re over the
cap, or their inability to sign players or compliance buyouts.
“There may be other opportunities, but we’re not necessarily sitting there
saying there’s going to be four or five guys that can step up and fill that
spot. If we got a deal that makes sense for Tyler, we’d do it. And again, it’s
not that we don’t want him to be a part of our team, because we do. But we
have to be mindful of how much money we’re committing to our players and
not just UFAs, but RFAs too.”
The RFAs present another difficulty for the Leafs. While Komarov is gone,
the team has to re-sign forwards Nazem Kadri, Joe Colborne, and
defencemen Carl Gunnarsson, Cody Franson, Mark Fraser. Of those, Kadri
and Franson are the most interesting because both virtually came out of
nowhere and had an impact this season.
Kadri, who had five goals and seven points in 21 games in 2011-12, was
Toronto’s second-highest scorer with 18 goals and 44 points in 48 games.
Franson’s improvement was not as significant from an offensive standpoint
— he went from five goals and 21 points in 57 games to four goals and 29
points in 45 games — but he established himself as a top four defenceman
at the end of the year.
Still, it was a 48-game season, which Nonis said presents challenges when
evaluating the value of players.
“Well, you have to gauge it,” said Nonis. “There’s two ways of putting it.
They did play well in that half season, so you can’t knock their play and say
that they didn’t play well for 48 games.
“Naz tailed off at the end, but he also played more hockey than anyone else
[72 games, including AHL, NHL and playoffs] … Cody did a very good job.
His point totals were good and he was an important part of our defence. So
does a short season impact it? I would say yes to a point, but you can’t also
discount it.”
Another question for Nonis concerns compliance buyouts. For a 48-hour
period following the final game of the Stanley Cup final, teams are allowed
to buy out up to two players (they will have another opportunity at the end of
next season) without it counting against the salary cap. Unlike the Flyers,
the Leafs are not up against the cap. According to capgeek.com, the team
has more than US$18-million in available cap space to sign 10 players.
Still, Nonis has not ruled out whether or not he will buy out Mike Komisarek
(one year remaining, US$3.575-million) or John-Michael Liles (three years
remaining, US$11.625-million).
“If we decide to do something, we’ll announce it prior, but we haven’t come
to that conclusion yet,” said Nonis. “There’s no real need to do anything.
You never know what’s going to come available in terms of player
movement. Even if there are players that can be bought out, there’s always
the potential of money moving back and forth in deals. So we’re not at that
point of making a decision.”
National Post LOADED: 06.22.2013
682013
Vancouver Canucks
Tortorella arriving in Vancouver
June 21, 2013. 11:18 am
Posted by:
Scott Brown
Amid rumours that he’s been offered the vacant Canucks’ coaching job,
former New York Rangers bench boss John Tortorella is scheduled to
arrive at Vancouver International Airport this afternoon.
The Vancouver Sun has confirmed that Tortorella, who has interviewed
twice for the Vancouver job, is on United flight #323 which is expected to
arrive at YVR at 1:06 p.m.
Winnipeg Free Press columnist Gary Lawless Tweeted today that the
Canucks’ job was Tortorella’s if he wanted it.
@GaryLawless: “NHL source tells me John Tortorella has been offered
#Canucks job and two sides are close to a deal #nhl #canucks Torts will
coach Canucks.”
Tortorella was fired by the Rangers last month after the team was ousted by
the Boston Bruins 4-1 in their Eastern Conference semi-final series.
In his four years in New York, Tortorella went 171-118-1-29. He was 19-25
in the post-season and reached the playoffs in four of five seasons after
taking over as coach in February, 2009.
The Rangers replaced Tortorella Friday with former Vancouver coach Alain
Vigneault, who was fired last month by Canucks general manager Mike
Gillis after the Canucks were swept in the first round of the playoffs by San
Jose.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED: 06.22.2013
682014
Vancouver Canucks
New message from new Canucks coach will put Tortorella in intense media
spotlight
June 21, 2013. 5:16 pm
Posted by:
Ben Kuzma
Mike Gillis wouldn’t reveal that John Tortorella is the new head coach of the
Vancouver Canucks, despite the fiery bench boss beating a path past the
media at YVR on Friday for a quick exit to have this third audience with the
NHL club. But he’s obviously gone well beyond being a top candidate and
what remains is reaching contract terms with the former New York Rangers
coach, who was fired May 29.
“We’re trying to finish off the process of selecting the next head coach,”
Gillis, the Canucks general manager, said on the TEAM 1040. “It’s ongoing
as we speak and hopefully it will be over shortly. John is certainly in the mix
and very strong and we’re going to finish off the process the way we
designed it initially. It shouldn’t take us much longer. We’ve been fortunate.
This is a coveted job and those who I interviewed went after it hard.”
The process meant interviewing candidates before the final four to replace
the fired Alain Vigneault was whittled down. Tortorella, John Stevens, Lindy
Ruff and Scott Arniel were considered the front-runners. Stevens was
admired for his work as a former Philadelphia Flyers head coach and
current Los Angeles Kings assistant. Ruff’s long tenure with the Buffalo
Sabres was cited before he landed the Dallas Stars head-coaching position
Friday and Arniel, who coached the Chicago Wolves last season and NHL
experience as a former Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss, were top
considerations. Gillis also interviewed Dallas Eakins, now the new coach of
the Edmonton Oilers, fired Stars coach Glen Gulutzan and Jacques Martin.
In his second interview on Tuesday in Boston, one focus was Tortorella’s
ability to temper his approach behind the bench and especially in front of
media microphones. This isn’t New York but this is a hockey mad market
that doesn’t house an NFL, NBA or MLB team. The B.C. Lions and
Vancouver Whitecaps command their share of coverage but there’s an
insatiable appetite for all things Canucks. Tortorella’s fencing with the New
York media is legendary. Here it has to be more give-and-take and less go
shove it. In that sense who the Canucks hire as Tortorella’s associate and
assistant could be just as vital to have a workable relationship with the
media. But the head guy has to be accountable and available. There will be
F-bombs. There just can’t be a flurry of them too early or too often.
“I think it’s important here where we’re under a microscope all the time and
certainly something we value,” added Gillis. “Some of us have to learn
harder to work with people and on any given day we have 30 (media)
people who descend upon Rogers Arena and we need to find a way to work
with them. That’s our objective. There’s a level of professionalism that both
sides need to bring to this and social media has changed the landscape
with how you (media) guys do your jobs.
“I also think you guys have an obligation to work with us as well as you
can.”
When Vigneault, Rick Bowness and Newell Brown were fired May 22 after
the Canucks were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the
San Jose Sharks, the sense was that the message had gone stale, that
something was seriously lost in translation after Vigneault’s seven seasons
at the helm. Vigneault was introduced as the Rangers new coach Friday
after receiving a five-year, $10 million US contract.
“We needed a change in voice,” said Gillis. “We needed a change in
direction and part of the re-set is really about whether we were ready to
have a change in voice and approach. And we were. We need to get our
bearings back. You can’t make a blockbuster trade and the hiring of a new
coach is going to go a long way to establishing a different voice in how our
team operates and plays.”
Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini obviously has a vested interest in
choosing a new coach. He has spent to the cap and provided the Canucks
with all the comforts to excel and has received nothing in return the past
two playoff years. To say he favours a stronger approach and a new
message is not a stretch. There were empty seats and empty feelings at
Rogers Arena this season. That’s hard for an emotional owner, who’s also
the club’s biggest fan.”
bkuzma@theprovince.com
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682015
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks' hiring of John Tortorella feels an awful lot like Mike Keenan 2.0
By Ed Willes, The Province June 21, 2013
if Aquilini thinks Tortorella is going to fix all that, good luck. But what this
feels like is the start of another Mike Keenan era in Vancouver. If you need
reminding, that was two years of chaos in the late 1990's, in which the
organization completely alienated its fan base; two years in which the
Canucks became irrelevant. They came out of that turmoil largely
unscathed, mostly because Brian Burke was able to rebuild the team in two
short years.
Who knows? Maybe they'll get lucky again. But look at it this way. They're
going to need it.
When John Tortorella's name first surfaced in connection with the
Vancouver Canucks, the response was essentially, "This is a joke, right?"
Tortorella, after all, was the complete antithesis of everything Mike Gillis's
administration supposedly represented. Gillis was a man of reason and
intellect.
He was a new-age thinker who based organizational decisions on cool
logic, metrics and analytics. The Canucks under Gillis were many things.
But they were always rational and thoughtful.
Until today.
Tortorella is the kind of knee-jerk decision that other organizations make,
not the Canucks. Yes, he represents a personality type diametrically
opposed from his predecessor, Alain Vigneault. But he also represents a
personality type diametrically opposed to Gillis's core values. He is loud and
profane; narcissistic and temperamental. He is emotional to the point of
irrationality. Tortorella, in fact, is so far removed from Gillis and his methods
that this hire had to come from somewhere else; somewhere, and we're just
spitballing here, like Canucks ownership.
And when ownership gets involved in decisions of this magnitude, it's a sure
sign the organization is in a state of dysfunction.
The Canucks have built their brand on touchy-feely sentiments like "We Are
All Canucks" and "Our Team Our Way." True, those slogans had a
Hallmark feel to them but, in good times, they sent the message that the
city and the province were all invested in the Canucks, that the team cared
about its fans.
Tortorella, without putting too fine an edge on things, basically extends the
middle finger to those fans.
That he is obnoxious is a given. And I hope when he lands here, we get the
full Tortorella, the vainglorious, I'm-smarter-and-more-imporant-thaneveryone-here guy we saw in New York. That way, at least he'd be true to
himself. I'm just not sure he can be any other way, which is going to make
things very interesting.
Francesco Aquilini, the man presumably behind this decision, is labouring
under the misapprehension that the team needs a butt-kicker, a motivator to
shake it out of its lethargy. That would be fine if this were 1964. But you
don't reach players with the drill-sergeant approach anymore. Today's
player has to be self-motivated and maniacally driven or he never reaches
the NHL. The thought that players like the Sedins, Alex Burrows and Kevin
Bieksa grew fat and lazy under Vigneault's watch is insulting to them and
their years of service to the Canucks.
But, in much the way exasperated parents think military school would
benefit their wayward teenager, Aquilini thinks Tortorella is just the man to
set the Canucks straight. That's fine in theory. But in reality, Tortorella's
personality is simply an impossible fit for this organization. If the Canucks
were about egos and stars, then maybe this might work. But under Gillis's
watch they've been about something else. They've been about the
collective. They've policed themselves. Most of those players have also
taken substantially less to play in this environment.
How is Tortorella going to go over with them?
If there was a country-club atmosphere with the Canucks, it started with
Gillis's vision for the team. He was the GM who was going to make
Vancouver a destination franchise for other players. He was the one who
was going to provide every conceivable edge -- meals, sleep doctors, mind
rooms, sports psychologists -- to the players. The real problem with the
Canucks in 2013, of course, had nothing to do with that and everything to
do with miscalculations on a number of fronts by Gillis. The ongoing
Roberto Luongo soap opera not only cost the team prime assets, it was a
distraction throughout the season. Gillis acquisitions like Keith Ballard and
David Booth contributed very little. Organizational depth was eradicated by
five years of bad drafting. The deadline acquisition of Derek Roy was a
bust.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682016
Vancouver Canucks
John Tortorella will be the new head coach of the Vancouver Canucks,
report says
By Ben Kuzma, The Province June 21, 2013 3:08 PM
John Stevens was a sound consideration. John Tortorella is an emotional
decision as the expected new coach of the Canucks, although the NHL club
has yet to make a formal announcement.
Tortorella arrived in Vancouver Friday afternoon on a flight from Denver.
When he emerged from Canada Customs, the Canucks ushered Tortorella
out a side door of the arrivals area, into a black Cadillac Escalade.
-- via @MattLee61 on Vine
Clearly, the Canucks didn’t want media who had flocked to the airport to
steal the thunder of an upcoming official announcement. Jonathan Wall, the
club’s director of hockey administration, roamed the arrivals area acting as
a decoy to facilitate Tortorella’s quick escape.
There is no word yet on a news conference announcing Tortorella’s hiring.
Stevens is smart, articulate, accountable and has learned from new- and
old-school NHL regimes as a former head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers
and currently as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings. He could have
come here and managed what’s in place and given it a tweak or two to
point the Canucks in the right direction — especially in the postseason. You
can easily understand why general manager Mike Gillis interviewed him
twice and why he was a finalist to replace Alain Vigneault, who was fired
May 22 and formally introduced as the New York Rangers’ bench boss
Friday.
Tortorella is fiery and combative with the media, goes with his gut instinct
on roster decisions and doesn’t worry about feelings. Ask Brad Richards.
His greatest failing in being fired by the Rangers on May 29 is that he didn’t
have anybody wearing the white hat at Madison Square Garden -- a guy
who could not only accept the role of being a players’ coach, but help
Tortorella temper his approach behind the bench and in the front of
microphones.
That’s what the Canucks were anxious to see in their second interview with
Tortorella, whether those edges can be softened a bit or whether he needs
another Craig Ramsay, his assistant in Tampa Bay who excelled in that role
and helped coax the Lightning to a 2004 Stanley Cup championship.
You can easily understand why Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini would
be drawn to a guy who’s not afraid to kick butt and take players out of a
comfort zone. Two straight first-round exits won’t sit well with an emotional
owner who has spent to the salary cap ceiling and given his players every
creature comfort, only to lose postseason revenue. Players set the
accountability bar from within the room. That won’t happen with Tortorella,
but he’ll need somebody to soften the message.
“Torts is a very good coach who wears people thin,” said an NHL source.
“He had no filter in New York and John needs a filter. Craig Ramsey was a
great fit. There was all kinds of intensity coming from the bench in New
York and no backdrop at all.”
Kind of like Vigneault and his former Canucks associate Rick Bowness.
They may have had differences behind the scenes, but always presented a
united front. The search for the right associate coach for the Canucks could
be as important as hiring the head coach. The Canucks also interviewed
Scott Arniel, who coached the Chicago Wolves last season, and has two
years remaining on his Canucks contract.
Tortorella received as much notoriety in 2004 for the way he addressed the
national media as for the way he guided the Lightning to a championship.
Forced by the NHL to sit before a sea of microphones, he was as abrasive
as sandpaper. He was short, curt and dismissive of queries about his team,
the other team or anything. The Boston native went after them all — big or
small — and the sideshow was often like a centre-ring attraction.
“He got a bad reputation and it followed him around and anything that
happens is exasperated because of what happened in 2004,” said an NHL
source. “But he understands a little better now. He’s not a dumb guy and
his rep is on the line. If he screws this up, it’s going to be very difficult to get
another NHL job. For the most part, he’ll try and in some fashion he won’t
be able to help himself — he’s going to blast somebody.
“When he wants to, he can be the most engaging, fun and interesting guy
you’ve every spoken to. It’s unbelievable. And if you catch him at the right
moment and there’s a topic he wants to talk about, he’s great and he laughs
and he laughs at himself.”
Tortorella was an assistant coach for the U.S. at the 2010 Olympics in
Vancouver and got a taste for the rabid following for anything hockeyrelated. But that was a two-week tournament. A 41-game home regularseason schedule with as many as 28 media at practices is going to test the
Italian’s patience when soft and mundane queries are sent his way. Not
sure there’s a 12-step program for dealing with those who think a left-wing
lock is something you put on a bicycle, but that’s the challenge for the 54year-old Tortorella.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682017
Vancouver Canucks
New message from new Canucks coach will put Tortorella in intense media
spotlight
June 21, 2013. 5:16 pm
Posted by:
Ben Kuzma
Mike Gillis wouldn’t reveal that John Tortorella is the new head coach of the
Vancouver Canucks, despite the fiery bench boss beating a path past the
media at YVR on Friday for a quick exit to have this third audience with the
NHL club. But he’s obviously gone well beyond being a top candidate and
what remains is reaching contract terms with the former New York Rangers
coach, who was fired May 29.
“We’re trying to finish off the process of selecting the next head coach,”
Gillis, the Canucks general manager, said on the TEAM 1040. “It’s ongoing
as we speak and hopefully it will be over shortly. John is certainly in the mix
and very strong and we’re going to finish off the process the way we
designed it initially. It shouldn’t take us much longer. We’ve been fortunate.
This is a coveted job and those who I interviewed went after it hard.”
The process meant interviewing candidates before the final four to replace
the fired Alain Vigneault was whittled down. Tortorella, John Stevens, Lindy
Ruff and Scott Arniel were considered the front-runners. Stevens was
admired for his work as a former Philadelphia Flyers head coach and
current Los Angeles Kings assistant. Ruff’s long tenure with the Buffalo
Sabres was cited before he landed the Dallas Stars head-coaching position
Friday and Arniel, who coached the Chicago Wolves last season and NHL
experience as a former Columbus Blue Jackets bench boss, were top
considerations. Gillis also interviewed Dallas Eakins, now the new coach of
the Edmonton Oilers, fired Stars coach Glen Gulutzan and Jacques Martin.
In his second interview on Tuesday in Boston, one focus was Tortorella’s
ability to temper his approach behind the bench and especially in front of
media microphones. This isn’t New York but this is a hockey mad market
that doesn’t house an NFL, NBA or MLB team. The B.C. Lions and
Vancouver Whitecaps command their share of coverage but there’s an
insatiable appetite for all things Canucks. Tortorella’s fencing with the New
York media is legendary. Here it has to be more give-and-take and less go
shove it. In that sense who the Canucks hire as Tortorella’s associate and
assistant could be just as vital to have a workable relationship with the
media. But the head guy has to be accountable and available. There will be
F-bombs. There just can’t be a flurry of them too early or too often.
“I think it’s important here where we’re under a microscope all the time and
certainly something we value,” added Gillis. “Some of us have to learn
harder to work with people and on any given day we have 30 (media)
people who descend upon Rogers Arena and we need to find a way to work
with them. That’s our objective. There’s a level of professionalism that both
sides need to bring to this and social media has changed the landscape
with how you (media) guys do your jobs.
“I also think you guys have an obligation to work with us as well as you
can.”
When Vigneault, Rick Bowness and Newell Brown were fired May 22 after
the Canucks were swept in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs by the
San Jose Sharks, the sense was that the message had gone stale, that
something was seriously lost in translation after Vigneault’s seven seasons
at the helm. Vigneault was introduced as the Rangers new coach Friday
after receiving a five-year, $10 million US contract.
“We needed a change in voice,” said Gillis. “We needed a change in
direction and part of the re-set is really about whether we were ready to
have a change in voice and approach. And we were. We need to get our
bearings back. You can’t make a blockbuster trade and the hiring of a new
coach is going to go a long way to establishing a different voice in how our
team operates and plays.”
Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini obviously has a vested interest in
choosing a new coach. He has spent to the cap and provided the Canucks
with all the comforts to excel and has received nothing in return the past
two playoff years. To say he favours a stronger approach and a new
message is not a stretch. There were empty seats and empty feelings at
Rogers Arena this season. That’s hard for an emotional owner, who’s also
the club’s biggest fan.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682018
Vancouver Canucks
High risk, high reward Tortorella would be an emotional choice for Canucks
Italian’s patience when soft and mundane queries are sent his way. Not
sure there’s a 12-step program for dealing with those who think a left-wing
lock is something you put on a bicycle, but that’s the challenge for the 54year-old Tortorella.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
June 21, 2013. 11:14 am
Posted by:
Ben Kuzma
John Stevens was a sound consideration. John Tortorella is an emotional
decision as the expected new coach of the Canucks, although the NHL club
has yet to make a formal announcement. He was reportedly en route to
Vancouver on Friday and has already had two interviews.
Stevens is smart, articulate, accountable and has learned from new and
old-school NHL regimes as a former head coach of the Philadelphia Flyers
and currently as an assistant with the Los Angeles Kings. He could have
come here and managed what’s in place and given it a tweak or two to
point the Canucks in the right direction — especially in the postseason. You
can easily understand why general manager Mike Gillis interviewed him
twice and why he was a finalist to replace Alain Vigneault, who was fired
May 22 and formally introduced as the New York Rangers’ bench boss
Friday.
Tortorella is fiery and combative with the media, goes with his gut instinct
on roster decisions and doesn’t worry about feelings. Ask Brad Richards.
His greatest failing in being fired by the Rangers on May 29 is that he didn’t
have anybody wearing the white hat at Madison Square Garden, the guy
who could not only accept the role of being a players’ coach, but help
Tortorella temper his approach behind the bench and in the front of
microphones. That’s what the Canucks were anxious to see in their second
interview with Tortorella, whether those edges can be softened a bit or
whether he needs another Craig Ramsay, his assistant in Tampa Bay who
excelled in that role and helped coax the Lightning to a 2004 Stanley Cup
championship. You can easily understand why Canucks owner Francesco
Aquilini would be drawn to a guy who’s not afraid to kick butt and take
players out of a comfort zone. Two straight first-round exits won’t sit well
with an emotional owner to has spent to the salary cap ceiling, given his
players every creature comfort only to lose postseason revenue. Players
set the accountability bar from within the room. That won’t happen with
Tortorella but he’ll need somebody to soften the message.
“Torts is a very good coach who wears people thin,” said an NHL source.
“He had no filter in New York and John needs a filter. Craig Ramsey was a
great fit. There was all kinds of intensity coming from the bench in New
York and no backdrop at all.”
Kind of like Vigneault and his former Canucks associate Rick Bowness.
They may have had differences behind the scenes, but always presented a
united front. The search for the right associate coach for the Canucks could
be as important as hiring the head coach. The Canucks also interviewed
Scott Arniel, who coached the Chicago Wolves last season, and has two
years remaining on his Canucks contract.
Tortorella received as much notoriety in 2004 for the way he addressed the
national media as for the way he guided the Lightning to a championship.
Forced by the NHL to sit before a sea of microphones, he was as abrasive
as sandpaper and short, curt and dismissive of queries about his team, the
other team or anything. The Boston native went after them all — big or
small — and the side-show circus was often a centre-ring attraction.
“He got a bad reputation and it followed him around and anything that
happens is exasperated because of what happened in 2004,” said an NHL
source. “But he understands a little better how. He’s not a dumb guy and
his rep is on the line. If he screws this up, it’s going to be very difficult to get
another NHL job. For the most part, he’ll try and in some fashion he won’t
be able to help himself — he’s going to blast somebody.
“When he wants to, he can be the most engaging, fun and interesting guy
you’ve every spoken to. It’s unbelievable. And if you catch him at the right
moment and there’s a topic he wants to talk about, he’s great and he laughs
and he laughs at himself.”
Tortorella was an assistant coach for the U.S. at the 2010 Olympics in
Vancouver and got a taste for the rabid following for anything hockey
related. But that was a two-week tournament. A 41-game home regularseason schedule with as many as 28 media at practices is going to test the
682019
Vancouver Canucks
Gallagher’s Hat Trick: Courting Briere, landing Lindy, the Coyote howl
June 21, 2013. 11:03 am
Posted by:
The Province
Tony Gallagher presents the three things he’s thinking about in this Friday
edition of the Hat Trick:
The Vancouver Canucks are in need of a righthanded centre and Daniel
Briere would certainly be a good fit for their third line, even though he’s a
little on the small side. But as we kick off Friday morning’s Hat Trick of
issues around this team and the league it plays in, it’s unlikely the Canucks
will have the money to land the fellow who might be the most sought after of
the bought-out free agent forwards.
1. Briere would be particularly attractive to this team if he’s declared fit
because he has excellent offensive ability, and while he’s 35 years old now
and has been bothered by a string of injuries throughout his career, he has
109 points in 108 playoff games.
That’s a better percentage than any Canuck in history save Pavel Bure. But
the problem is room under the cap, which the Canucks are likely to find in
short supply — particularly if they have to surrender some money against
their cap to offload Roberto Luongo.
Obviously Keith Ballard will be bought out, assuming they can’t trade him.
But with David Booth going nowhere, getting to the top in bidding for Briere
isn’t likely to be possible.
2. With Lindy Ruff going to the Dallas Stars, you have to agree with
president Jim Lites that he is a good fit for this team.
He’s a particularly good fit if all they are looking to do is make the playoffs,
be a hard-working team for Texas fans and bow out in the first or second
round like Buffalo did in all the years Dominik Hasek didn’t carry the team
all by himself.
Ruff was interviewed here in Vancouver, but judging by the lack of rush to
get him in here as soon as Alain Vigneault was fired — even though there
were other teams without coaches — you can assume he was here to have
his brain scanned more than he was a serious candidate.
GM Mike Gillis often made excuses for the likes of Ballard and Booth about
how difficult it was to move from a market where nobody cares about the
game to the cauldron of Vancouver. But that would have been exactly the
case for Ruff in moving from Buffalo, where there is no particular pressure,
to this town where the fellow in question will be measured daily by some of
the ex-coach’s big fans in the media — who will tirelessly compare what
happened at a particular time in the schedule under Alain Vigneault. Ruff
will enjoy life much more in Dallas, and the weather is nicer as well.
3. Imagine being a hockey fan in Phoenix. Imagine trying to have the same
passion that fans in this town seem to have for their team. Consider every
year they don’t have the slightest idea how long the team will be there or
when the next power play will be perpetrated on the taxpayers of Glendale.
About the only thing they can count on when it comes to the team’s budget
is that it will be a hand-to-mouth existence. They probably see Gary
Bettman on TV more than GM Don Maloney.
This year they have added treats. Consider they didn’t have the slightest
idea of whether coach Dave Tippett would be staying on until this morning,
and even now his five-year deal is ‘pending’ an agreement to keep the team
in Phoenix. And with Mike Smith set to walk out the door, they are looking
at their second franchise goaltender in as many years saying goodbye and
taking his leave to a place where winning is actually a consideration.
Even backup G Jason LaBarbera is a UFA and a consideration to back up
here if the Canucks could dump Lui and get his price down far enough. Of
course the prevailing theory is that if you have Tippett, goalie coach Sean
Burke could teach any unemployed passer-by to play goal in that system,
and that theory may well get another test this season.
But as a fan it can’t be much fun. At least the long-suffering victim knows
Maloney was able to get both Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle
signed long term, and Zbynek Michalek may still have a little rubber left on
the tires, so the back end will be tolerable. But the yearning to drive halfway
across the state to buy season tickets probably isn’t overwhelming.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 06.22.2013
682020
Websites
ESPN / Saad maturing quickly in the spotlight
June, 21, 2013
7:11PM ET
By Pierre LeBrun | ESPN.com
CHICAGO -- What’s with the Patrick Kane-like hockey mullet, I asked
Brandon Saad?
“He was looking for guys before the year and I decided to tag along,” Saad
said through a smile on Friday. “It’s been fun.”
Saad’s rapid development is something to behold. He went from the Ontario
Hockey League last season, to 31 AHL games with Rockford this season
during the lockout, to a full-timer with the Hawks right from the start of the
shortened NHL season, to a key player in the Stanley Cup finals.
“He’s developed unbelievably,” said Saad's current linemate, Shaw. “He’s a
great player now. He was great coming in but he ironed out some kinks.
He’s done a heck of a job. It’s great having him on my line. It’s nice having
him as a roommate on the road, too. He’s a great kid.”
Just don’t give him the remote control.
“He’s pretty bad at flipping through the channels, he channel surfs too
much,” laughed Shaw. “Sometimes I have to yell at him so he stops and we
can just watch something. But we agree on a lot of things, we’re great
roommates.”
Saad admits he’s had the odd moment where he’s had to pinch himself to
make sure this was all really happening, like when the United Center rocked
during the anthem for the opening of the Cup finals.
I'm not sure how I feel about the mullet with the lines shaved into the side,
but I like what I’m seeing on the ice from the 20-year-old Pittsburgh native
in his rookie NHL campaign.
“The anthem is always crazy here,” said Saad. “There have been lots of
crazy moments in these playoffs. Battling back against Detroit as an
example. In general it’s been a whirlwind.”
Saad has only one goal and five assists in the playoffs, but he has come on
over the past two rounds when the games have grown in importance.
At this point, he hardly feel like a rookie anymore. He’s played a lot of
hockey this year.
“The way that he started his regular season and the way he finished it, is
very similar to the way he started his playoffs and how he’s finishing them
now,” said TV analyst Ed Olczyk, who works Blackhawks games during the
regular season.
“Slow start pointwise, slow start generating a lot, and as the year went on,
he became a permanent fixture and that’s how he’s played in the playoffs,”
said Olczyk. “A mirror image. Not a lot to show for it early in the playoffs,
but a lot to show in important situations as the games have gone on.”
Saad was nominated for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year after
putting up 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) and a plus-17 rating in 46
regular-season games.
He played most of the regular season on the top line with Jonathan Toews
and Marian Hossa, some kind of assignment in your first season in the
league.
“Playing with Jonny and Hos during the year obviously helped out a lot, just
getting that experience helped out tremendously,” said Saad.
Head coach Joel Quenneville has had him both on the top line and the third
line during the playoffs, and Saad has been mostly on the third unit with
Andrew Shaw and Viktor Stalberg of late. For the coach to have that kind of
trust in a rookie to play both on the top line or the third line is not something
you see every day in this league.
“You don’t,” Mark Kelley, the director of amateur scouting for the Hawks,
told ESPN.com Friday. “But he’s a very smart player. He has great
character. He’s a well-grounded kid. He plays within the whole team
concept. He’s smart enough when the coach gives him a role he can
embrace it, whether that’s up on a line with Toews and Hossa or down on a
line with Shaw and Stalberg.”
To be able to comfortably fit on both the top line and a checking line as a
rookie player takes high hockey IQ, agreed Olczyk.
“You have to be a smart player to be able to do it,” said Olczyk. “A lot of
people think anybody can play with Toews and Kane or Hossa and guys
like that, but it’s not the case. You have to have a lot of hockey sense and
understand how to play with those guys. He just has that ability. He’s a real
bright kid. His hockey ability allows him to be flexible.”
Kelley first saw Saad as a prospect during the 2009-10 season when Saad
played for the U.S. national under-18 development team. He was
immediately taken.
“He was a dominant player on that team,” said Kelley. “At that point, going
from his underage year to this draft year, we were as high on him as almost
anyone aside from the top few guys in that draft.”
Kelley said Saad played hurt for a while during the 2010-11 season, which
likely hurt his draft stock a little and allowed the Hawks to get him in the
second round in 2011 (43rd overall), which already looks like a steal.
“He was far from being 43rd on our list, I can tell you,” said Kelley. “The fact
that he was there at 43rd, we were incredibly excited.”
“The year’s been quick,” said Saad. “But with the experience I’ve had, I feel
pretty good out there. I don’t feel like a rookie anymore. Can’t use that as
an excuse. I have to contribute and play well. But it’s been a great ride.”
ESPN LOADED: 06.22.2013
682021
Websites
ESPN / Canucks expected to hire Tortorella
Updated: June 21, 2013, 7:38 PM ET
By Pierre LeBrun | ESPN.com
Friday was a whirlwind day in the NHL coaching world, with the Canucks
and Rangers likely set to swap coaches when all is said and done. It's a
good move for New York but maybe not for Vancouver, writes Pierre
LeBrun. Blog
John Tortorella is expected to be named the next head coach of the
Vancouver Canucks, a source confirmed to ESPN.com on Friday.
Tortorella and the Canucks still need to negotiate a contract, which is why
the deal was yet to be completed Friday afternoon.
Other candidates such as John Stevens and Scott Arniel were informed
they no longer were in the running, sources confirmed.
Tortorella would replace Alain Vigneault behind the bench. Vigneault,
ironically, replaced Tortorella in New York as the Rangers' head coach.
ESPN LOADED: 06.22.2013
682022
Websites
His work with the Kings as an assistant coach is reflected in the team’s
sparkling defensive game. Stevens is a cerebral coach who thinks the
game extremely well.
ESPN / Vigneault, Tortorella ride coaching carousel
He deserves another shot in a top job, and he'll just have to wait his turn.
Other openings will undoubtedly beckon a year from now.
June, 21, 2013
ESPN LOADED: 06.22.2013
5:01PM ET
By Pierre LeBrun | ESPN.com
And when the music stopped, all the coaching chairs were taken.
A whirlwind Friday in the NHL coaching world saw all the vacancies filled
up, pretty much anyway.
The Vancouver Canucks still haven’t officially named their new head coach,
but all signs point to John Tortorella being their man.
Across the continent, former Canucks coach Alain Vigneault was officially
introduced as the New York Rangers' new boss, meaning the Blueshirts
and Canucks will end up simply swapping coaches if the Tortorella deal
goes through in Vancouver.
Nobody said the hockey world was boring, right?
I like the Vigneault hire a lot. Having coached in Montreal and Vancouver,
there’s nothing Vigneault hasn’t seen. New York is a bigger town but a
smaller hockey market than those two previous stops. He’s a terrific coach
and a great communicator, and I think the Rangers stuck gold with that
hiring.
Not so sure I feel the same way about Tortorella in Vancouver. I've always
gotten along with the man called "Torts", but I feel that a year away from the
game to decompress and recalibrate would have served him better. And
there aren't many more demanding markets than Vancouver, where the
media spotlight will be even more intense than in New York.
I understand what the Canucks are doing. Their brass loves Tortorella's
fiery disposition and believe he will demand more accountability from the
players. This hire isn't about whether he’s going to play nice with the media
but rather is focused on what the Vancouver players need from their coach.
Still, this is a gamble from GM Mike Gillis in what is his first coaching hire.
Meanwhile, Lindy Ruff landed in Dallas while Dave Tippett re-upped with
the Phoenix Coyotes.
It is not a coincidence that Vancouver and Dallas zeroed in on their guys
just as Tippett announced he was staying put.
I believe the Stars and Canucks were keeping tabs on the Phoenix situation
before moving on with their coaching hires, because both teams would
have wanted to speak with Tippett had he been available.
Instead, Tippett waited as long as he could to see what would transpire with
the Coyotes ownership situation and finally re-signed Friday. It’s still not a
guarantee that the Coyotes will stay put -- much of that is still being decided
as the city of Glendale and the prospective Coyotes owners negotiate a
lease agreement that would cement the team’s future there -- but the
rumors of Seattle being a solid Plan B if the team relocates were enough for
Tippett to sign anyway.
In other words, Tippett certainly hopes the team doesn't move, but Seattle
wouldn't be a terrible place for him. He has a daughter who lives there.
With Tippett unavailable, Dallas and Vancouver certainly hired some
accomplished men, Tortorella winning a Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay in
2004 and Ruff having a successful track record with an underdog Sabres
team in Buffalo, including a trip to the 1999 Stanley Cup finals.
The Stars are going through a rebuild of sorts with new GM Jim Nill -- one
of the game’s top talent evaluators -- and I think the patient Ruff is a good fit
for a team that may need some seasoning before it is ready to win.
I feel bad for John Stevens, who appears to be the runner-up in Vancouver.
The Canucks informed him over the past day that he was out of the
running, a source confirmed Friday. Stevens is ready to be a head coach
again, and it’s disappointing he didn't get that chance this offseason.
682023
Websites
FOXSports.com /Kings' Mitchell showing signs of progress
JONATHAN DAVIS
When Dean Lombardi met with the media via conference call following the
Kings' exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, one of the hot topics was the
status of Willie Mitchell and his possible return for the 2013-14 season.
Mitchell missed all of last season following knee surgery and has one year
left on his $3.5-million contract.
There have been some signs of encouragement as Mitchell recently
tweeted out video of himself skating at the Kings Training facility in El
Segundo:
Just for some doubters and for those who have been supportive.
@lakings #nhl #lakings #nottobedenied http://t.co/LyjLFBcBl9
— Willie Mitchell (@Willie_Mitch33) June 13, 2013
"It’s a day-to-day thing, in terms of his progress," said Lombardi. “I guess
it’s safe to say that he’s at least making progress, but the problem is it’s the
same progress he made before. Until we get to those final stages, you’re
not going to know for sure.
"So, if you had asked me this maybe six months ago when we went through
the process the first time, I would have been encouraged. But, given that
we had two setbacks once he got to a certain point, I’m certainly not as
optimistic as I would have been before. But that said, he’s clearly making
progress again. But, we still have to go to another level and push [the knee]
to see if it responds. Your guess is as good as mine right now."
Even if Mitchell is given medical clearance to play, because he was 35
years old at the time of signing the contract, the Kings are not able to use
one of their two compliance buyouts to rid them of his salary. If Mitchell is
still not medically cleared to play, the Kings could place him on Long Term
Injured Reserve and his salary would not count against the cap.
Ideally, a healthy Willie Mitchell would be a welcome sight for the Kings
next season. He was arguably their best defenseman when they won their
first ever Stanley Cup in 2012. His return would also compensate for the
impending loss of unrestricted defenseman Rob Scuderi, who is all but
certain to find employment with another NHL team.
Mitchell averaged 25-plus minutes of ice time in 2012, the second most
minutes amongst Kings defenseman behind Drew Doughty, and led all
defenseman in time on ice when the Kings were shorthanded. At 6'3" and
208 pounds, his size and strength made life tough for the opposition in front
of the net.
With the regular season still a little more than three months away, time is on
Mitchell’s side. There’s no question his return would once again be a big
boost in the Kings' chances for another deep playoff run and a legitimate
shot at their second Stanley Cup.
FOXSports.com LOADED: 06.22.2013
682024
Websites
NBCSports.com / Bernier bidding reportedly down to three: Leafs, Flyers or
Wild
Mike Halford
Jun 21, 2013, 4:59 PM EDT
Sounds as though there’ll soon be a winner in the Jonathan Bernier
sweepstakes.
According to RDS’ Renaud Lavoie, only three teams remain in the running
for the Los Angeles goalie — Toronto, Philadelphia and Minnesota — and
that the Kings are prepared to take the best offer put forth by one of the
three clubs.
Toronto’s interest in Bernier has been rumored for quite some time.
GM Dave Nonis has refrained from speaking specifically about replacing
incumbent starter James Reimer, but has said on numerous occasions he
would look to upgrade any position — including goaltending – if the
opportunity presented itself.
(Remember the whole Luongo-at-the-deadline fiasco?)
The Flyers’ offer would seemingly be contingent upon buying out Ilya
Bryzgalov, then pairing Bernier with Steve Mason, who was acquired from
Columbus last season and quickly signed to a contract extension.
Then there’s the situation in Minnesota, which is quite intriguing.
Earlier this week, owner Craig Leipold gave a less-than-ringing
endorsement of Niklas Backstrom, saying “we are not uncomfortable” with
bringing the 36-year-old Finn back to be the Wild’s No. 1 netminder for
2013-14.
Backstrom’s four-year, $24 million deal expires in July and he’d have to
take a serious pay cut to stick in Minnesota.
The Wild don’t have a ton of cap space, so the possibility of getting a
starting goalie on the cheap (Bernier is a pending RFA, and made just
$1.25 million last season) would be tantalizing.
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682025
Websites
NBCSports.com / Hossa misses practice, still expected to play Game 5
Mike Halford
Jun 21, 2013, 3:59 PM EDT
Marian Hossa didn’t participate in Chicago’s practice on Friday, but will be
good to go on Saturday for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final.
“Hossa is fine,” ‘Hawks head coach Joel Quenneville said when asked
about No. 81 missing today’s skate. “We did that [let Hossa skip] in the
morning skate the other day.”
The Slovak forward was a late scratch from Game 3 and appeared to be
laboring at times during Wednesday’s Game 4 overtime win at TD Garden
in Boston.
Despite suffering through what is believed to be an upper-body injury,
Hossa managed to play over 19 minutes and chipped in with an assist.
Quenneville said he was impressed with how Hossa was able to contribute,
despite being less than 100 percent.
“I liked his contribution last game,” Quenneville said. “Defensively, too, you
know Hossa is always going to be in the right spot and not give up anything
on that end of it.
“Very happy to use him whatever number you want to say percentage that
he’s ready at.”
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682026
Websites
NBCSports.com / ‘Hawks expect Leddy to ‘get back to playing’ after Game
4 benching
Mike Halford
Jun 21, 2013, 2:27 PM EDT
Nick Leddy will be in the lineup for Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final and,
according to his head coach, he’s actually going to play.
That’s what Joel Quenneville told reporters on Friday, saying the 22-yearold blueliner will be back in the mix after playing just four shifts for 2:37 of
ice time in a Game 4 OT win against the Bruins.
“I think we expect Nick to get back to playing more in tomorrow’s game,”
Quenneville explained. “I think as the game progressed last game, not
getting him out there against the match-up that we were looking for was
there, too. Then late in the game we didn’t go there.
“I thought the five guys in our rotation were getting the job done.”
Leddy went into Game 4 averaging around 16 minutes per game this
postseason, down from 17-plus in the regular season.
He has struggled at times, especially offensively (zero goals, two assists)
and his minus-7 rating likely wasn’t helping matters.
It was interesting to hear Quenneville speak about his confidence in a fiveman rotation, because Leddy’s benching in Game 4 put an increased load
on Chicago’s blueline.
Michal Rozsival, Johnny Oduya, Brent Seabrook, Niklas Hjalmarsson and
Duncan Keith all played over 25 minutes each — coincidentally or not, the
‘Hawks allowed five goals in a game for the first time this postseason – and
some thought the ‘Hawks may go to veteran Sheldon Brookbank as Leddy’s
potential replacement for Saturday.
Brookbank, 32, filled in for Keith during his one-game suspension in the
Western Conference finals. That said, Brookbank only played 6:50 and
finished a minus-2 in the contest, and hasn’t drawn back into the lineup
since.
Overall, Quenneville committed to Leddy but stressed the young
defensemen needs to do more offensively.
“He brings a nice guy from our back end that can move the puck and
defend and do what we need him to do to get involved in the attack,”
Quenneville said. “We’ll look forward to getting him more involved.”
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682027
Websites
NBCSports.com / ‘Hawks to stick with Crawford in Game 5, water still wet
Mike Halford
Jun 20, 2013, 5:07 PM EDT
In news that isn’t really news but sort of is because circumstances made it
so, Corey Crawford will start in goal for Chicago in Game 5 of the Stanley
Cup Final.
This narrative comes after Crawford allowed five goals — and got his glove
hand exposed — during Wednesday’s overtime win against the Bruins.
Crawford was a major topic in the postgame presser, which included
‘Hawks head coach Joel Quennevile being asked if he was concerned
about Crawford’s glove (Coach Q said he wasn’t.)
Today, the questions went a step further as Quenneville was asked if he’d
consider starting Ray Emery on Saturday.
Here’s how that went…
QUESTION: Joel, I’ll get this one out of the way early. You’ve got a backup
goalie who set a wins record, I believe, this year, he’s played in the Final,
he’s got a lot of experience. Given where the goals seemed to be going in
on Corey, do you even consider at this point making a change at all?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: No, not at all. No, we’re very comfortable with
Corey. Corey has been rock solid all year for us, and when he’s got the ball,
he’s been outstanding, and he’s the biggest reason why we’re here today.
Emery did have an outstanding season — 17-1-0 record, .922 save
percentage, 1.94 GAA — and Quenneville said in the past he wouldn’t be
against using two goalies in the playoffs.
But in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final? After Crawford played every
minute of every playoff game? And with Emery not having suited up since
Apr. 24?
No chance.
As for Crawford, he said he won’t start thinking about his glove being an
issue, but did acknowledge the Bruins are targeting it.
“Well, 99 percent of the shots are going glove side, I don’t know what you
would say,” he explained. “I can’t start thinking about that, that’s when you
get in trouble when you start thinking everything is going to go glove.
“I’m just going to play the way I’ve been playing and stick with that.”
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682028
Websites
NBCSports.com / Report: Kostitsyn gets KHL offer, Preds won’t object to
him leaving
Mike Halford
Jun 20, 2013, 3:10 PM EDT
Interesting news out of Russia regarding the future of Nashville forward
Sergei Kostitsyn.
According to news outlet Izvestia.ru, Kostitsyn has reportedly received a
contract offer from KHL club Avangard Omsk, the team he played for during
the lockout.
What’s more, Avangard’s GM has apparently had discussions with Preds
GM David Poile, and claims Poile has no objections to Kostisyn leaving —
despite the fact he has one year remaining on his deal with Nashville.
Here’s a Google translation of the Izvestia article:
Q: How are contract negotiations with Belarus striker Sergei Kostitsyn?
A: We offered Sergey contract, he is now under discussion. Every day
contact with his agent. I also contact the general manager of “Nashville” by
David [Poile]. We talked a few times on this issue and came to the
conclusion that “Nashville” would not object to his move to the “Vanguard”.
Now everything depends on the willingness of Sergei, who is considering
several proposals. We are actively negotiating with him and are close to
having to continue our relationship.
Pretty sure “Vanguard” is “Avangard,” FYI.
Poile and the Predators have been down this road before.
In 2008, they lost the services of Alex Radulov to KHL club Salavat Yulaev
Ufa and, following last season, parted ways with Sergei’s brother, Andrei
Kostitsyn, who eventually signed in the KHL with Traktor Chelyabinsk.
As for Sergei, he had a disappointing 2013 campaign for the Preds, scoring
just three goals in 46 games and finishing with 15 points, eighth-most on
the team.
There was also this embarrassing line-change fiasco against Edmonton in
March, which got the Belarussian winger dropped from the lineup.
Following the end of the regular season, head coach Barry Trotz called out
Kostitsyn for his lack of scoring.
“We expected production from Sergei and Craig Smith and we got none,”
Trotz explained. “Both those guys, we were looking at them to be top-six,
top-seven forwards and we got no production.”
It was quite a decline for Kostitsyn, who led the Predators in scoring (with
50 points) two years ago and signed a two-year, $6 million deal in 2012.
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682029
Websites
NBCSports.com / Holmgren: Briere buyout ‘very difficult decision’ for Flyers
Mike Halford
Jun 20, 2013, 1:09 PM EDT
With Daniel Briere‘s compliance buyout now just a formality, Flyers GM
Paul Holmgren spoke Thursday about what many are calling the end of an
era.
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make as Danny has been a very
good player for us over the past six years,” Holmgren told the Flyers
website. “Danny came to our organization as a free agent in July of 2007
and has been a tremendous player, person and role model in all aspects
and for that we thank him.
“We wish him continued success and best wishes in any future endeavors.”
Briere accomplished plenty in Philadelphia after leaving Buffalo six years
ago. He represented the Flyers in a pair of All-Star Games (2007, 2011),
winning MVP honors at the ’07 contest.
In 2010, he finished as the leading postseason scorer — 30 points in 23
games — setting a Flyers’ franchise record in the process.
In the end, though, the organization could no longer afford Briere’s frontloaded eight-year, $52 million deal.
Here’s more, from Philaldephia Flyers Inside Reporter Anthony SanFilippo:
He had two years remaining and while he was only owed $3 million for next
season and $2 million the season after, Briere, 35, still had to have a cap hit
of $6.5 million per the rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
which says the Average Annual Value (AAV) of a player’s contract counts
toward the cap, not the specific dollar figure.
The Flyers will now have to pay Briere 75 percent of his remaining money
owed – $3.75 million – but will have twice as long to pay it as was the term
remaining on his contract.
This means the Flyers will pay Briere $937,500 per season for the next four
seasons. As a result, the team will get cap relief by not having any portion
of his contract count against the cap.
In speaking with SanFilippo, Briere had nothing but kind words for the city,
organization and fans.
“I just want to say thank you to all the fans and my teammates for the
wonderful last six years here,” he said. “Also, I want to thank the Flyers
organization for treating me so well during my stay here.
“I will always be grateful to everyone around the team for my time spent as
a Flyer.”
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 06.22.2013
682030
Websites
USA TODAY / Officials hope to release draft of Coyotes deal next week
Before Friday's talks, Hugh said the council has unfinished business. "If
there was any news, we wouldn't be having another meeting," he said.
Council members also are considering proposals by two non-hockeyaffiliated management companies to run the arena.
"I want to find the best and lowest bid to operate our arena," Hugh said.
Paul Giblin, USA TODAY Sports 12:12 a.m. EDT June 22, 2013
Renaissance executives have proposed a complicated deal, said Watters
the city spokeswoman. She declined to provide further details.
Glendale City Council members met in private session for 3½ hours Friday,
but will need more time before bringing a tentative agreement about the
Phoenix Coyotes to a public vote.
Earlier this week, Councilman Sherwood said he expected Renaissance to
seek as much as $15 million a year in guaranteed payments from the city.
City officials hope to release details of that draft deal with the hockey team's
prospective owners early next week, then vote on a proposal by July 2, said
Glendale spokeswoman Julie Watters.
The proposal involves a long-term contract that calls for the city to pay the
prospective ownership group, Renaissance Sports & Entertainment,
approximately $15 million a year to manage Jobing.com Arena, where the
hockey team has played since 2003.
In exchange, Renaissance would keep the team at the arena, drawing
crowds to restaurants and bars in the surrounding Westgate Entertainment
District for 41 nights a year. Renaissance would give the city cuts of ticket
surcharges, parking fees and other sources of revenue.
In exchange, he believed Renaissance would offer the city millions of
dollars in revenue, based largely on the team's success at the gate.
That revenue would be derived from ticket surcharges, parking fees,
naming rights for the arena and perhaps other sources.
Sherwood declined to discuss specific deal points after Tuesday's meeting
but said the sides needed to address a sticking point, which he also
declined to specify.
Before Friday's meeting, city leaders and other players have said little about
the arena talks.
Knaack the vice mayor, as well as Councilmen Chavira and Martinez did
not return calls seeking comment.
Renaissance has reached an agreement to buy the Coyotes from the NHL,
but that deal is dependent upon Renaissance reaching an arena use
agreement with Glendale.
The mayor remains hopeful a successful resolution can be reached, said
city spokeswoman Jennifer Stein, who spoke on Weiers' behalf earlier this
week.
Few details were available Friday.
LeBlanc, one of Renaissance's four principals, declined via e-mail to
comment.NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, who has served as the
league's spokesman regarding the Coyotes, did not return messages
seeking comment.
Glendale Mayor Jerry Weiers and Councilman Ian Hugh walked briskly past
a group of reporters stationed in a breezeway outside the meeting room at
City Hall. They referred questions to Watters.
Councilwoman Norma Alvarez, who walks with the assistance of walker and
wasn't able to dodge the media as easily, told reporters for the third time
this week that she will vote against Renaissance.
Vice Mayor Yvonne Knaack and three other council members left the
meeting room through a back exit and avoided the media.
"At this point, we are continuing our negotiations with the Renaissance
group and we expect that early next week we will have some sort of a
statement or a press release," Watters said. "We're also hopeful that at that
time, we can discuss everything in more specific details, such as deal
points."
Renaissance and NHL officials could not be reach immediately for
comment.
The negotiations between Glendale leaders and the ownership group likely
represent the last chance the city and the National Hockey League have to
end the four-year Coyotes saga, during which the league has tried to sell
the franchise to an ever-changing cast of potential buyers.
If negotiations between Glendale and Renaissance crumble, the team likely
will relocate to Seattle or elsewhere, NHL officials say.
At issue is are the rights to manage Jobing.com Arena, which seats 17,125
people for hockey.
The city has budgeted $6 million a year for the fee, but the fee is subject to
negotiation.
A councilman said Renaissance may seek $15 million in guaranteed
payments.
Friday's meeting marks the second time this week that the council has met
to review the deal. City leaders met Tuesday behind closed doors for
several hours but left with more questions than answers.
Renaissance executives were expected to offer a reworked proposal, but
specific information about the dealings remains sketchy.
The NHL has pressured the prospective owners, headed by Canadian
businessmen George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc, to stay mum.
Likewise, Glendale officials have been mostly silent because the
negotiations are being handled in executive session, which allows
negotiations to be conducted in private and limits public disclosure.
Renaissance's proposal likely is intended to assuage the investment
group's financial backers, said Brian Smith, director of the Colangelo School
of Sports Business at Grand Canyon University. The NHL's price for the
franchise is $170 million.
"If you're getting lenders for additional financing, it's much easier to get
better terms and get the money you're looking for if you have a guaranteed
source of income from the city, rather than saying, 'Well, we're projecting
that we're going to have this and this and this,' " Smith said.
In addition, Renaissance executives have leverage to ask for guaranteed
fees.
If they don't get the deal they want, the NHL can threaten to move the
Coyotes, leaving Jobing.com Arena without an anchor tenant, he said.
"Using the threat of relocation is a real common element in the sports world
— and not just for hockey," Smith said. He noted that the National
Basketball Association threatened to move the Sacramento Kings to Seattle
to secure a better deal in Sacramento.
Glendale officials have not responded to repeated requests by The Arizona
Republic to release the arena-management proposals submitted by
Renaissance and the two other firms.
The Glendale council is composed of seven members, including the mayor.
All members' votes are equal. An arena-management deal could be
approved with a four-vote majority.
USA TODAY LOADED: 06.22.2013
682031
Websites
USA TODAY / Game 5 preview: 'Hawks need to keep traffic in front of
Tuukka Rask
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 6:14 p.m. EDT June 21, 2013
Situation: The Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks are tied 2-2
going into Saturday´s Game 5 of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final in
Chicago (8 p.m. ET, NBC). The team that has won Game 5 in a 2-2 series
has won the series 68% of the time in Stanley Cup history.
CRAWFORD : Hawks goalie knocks down talk about vulnerability
Goaltending matchup: Blackhawks' Corey Crawford (14-7, 1.86 GAA, .931
save percentage) vs. Bruins' Tuukka Rask (14-6, 1.83, .941). Now that the
players have studied both goalies for four games, the consensus seems to
be that you shoot high glove on Crawford and you attempt to bother Rask
with heavy traffic.
RANGERS: Vigneault introduced as coach
Who's hot: Bruins C Patrice Bergeron has six goals in his past seven
games and he has won 62% of his faceoffs in the postseason. He is on the
list of Conn Smythe possibilities.
Who's not: Bruins C David Krejci has cooled off, even though he is still
leading the NHL in playoff points. He has only four shots in his past three
games, and no goals in his past five.
COYOTES: Tippett gets extension
Lineup issues: Bruins rookie Carl Soderberg might draw into the lineup to
play on the fourth line with Shawn Thornton and Rich Peverley. Kaspars
Daugavins would be odd man out. Blackhawks' Marian Hossa (undisclosed)
missed practice Friday and admits to being limited by his injury, but he is
playing Game 5. Defenseman Nick Leddy only played 2:37 in Game 4, but
coach Joel Quenneville said he expects him to play more in Game 5. "I
thought the five guys in our rotation were getting the job done (in Game 5),"
Quenneville said.
What the Bruins need to do: 1. Regain the level of efficiency they showed in
the Pittsburgh series. They were uncharacteristically sloppy in Game 4.
Their defense was not coach Claude Julien-caliber. 2. They need a good
start in the United Center to try to reclaim some momentum. For opponents,
it can feel like you are starting from behind after the crowd gets pumped up
with their stirring national anthem. 3. Worst game to best game. They need
to convince themselves that this is the key game of the series. They need
their top line to out-produce the Bryan Bickell-Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane
line.
What the Blackhawks need to do: 1. Make the area around the Bruins net
look like the Dan Ryan at rush hour. Wall-to-wall traffic, heavy congestion.
2. Continue to go hard at Zdeno Chara, continuing to hope that they wear
him down. 3. Continue to minimize Boston´s faceoff advantage by sending
wingers hard after those who are supposed to receive the draws.
USA TODAY LOADED: 06.22.2013
682032
Websites
USA TODAY / Crawford knocks down talk about vulnerability
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 5:57 p.m. EDT June 21, 2013
CHICAGO - When it comes to critiques of his goaltending style, Chicago´s
Corey Crawford has gotten it from both sides.
One of the story lines of the Stanley Cup Final is that the Boston Bruins
seem to believe Crawford is vulnerable high to his glove hand.
"Last series, there was talk about my blocker," Crawford joked. "Both sides
are bad, I guess."
The oddity of the criticism is that it is directed at a goalie who owns a 1.86
goals-against postseason average and .931 save percentage and is two
wins away from winning a Stanley Cup.
"If you went to every coach in the NHL who studied Corey Crawford, they
would say (high glove) is an area we would like to go to," said former NHL
goalie Darren Pang, an NHL Network and NBC analyst. "The information is
there, but you still need the players who can do that."
The advantage the Bruins have is that they boast eight right-hand shots
whose tendency is to shoot high glove.
"Not only does Boston have right-hand shots, but they have good right-hand
shots like (David) Krejci, (Nathan) Horton and (Patrice) Bergeron," Pang
said. "You are talking high-end hockey players."
Crawford said he doesn't believe any adjustment to his game is necessary.
"Ÿou get in trouble if you start thinking they are going to shoot glove high,"
Crawford said. "Às a goalie, you don´t want to think, you want to read and
react."
Chicago coach Joel Quenneville seems to have no concern about Crawford
or his alleged vulnerability.
"He just seems to move forward whatever the challenge is, (whether) it is
the next shot or next game," Quenneville said.
The Blackhawks are more concerned about what to do with Bruins goalie
Tuukka Rask. They want to duplicate their offensive scheme from Game 4,
when they scored six goals against him. In the two previous games, the
Blackhawks had managed to score one goal in 133 minutes.
In Game 5, the Blackhawks want Rask to feel like he is in the security line
at O'Hare Airport, with people all around him and no one in a hurry to get
out of his way.
"You want to make sure that he doesn't get too comfortable," Quenneville
said. "Ì thought we were very accommodating in Game 3 as far as where
we put the puck off the forecheck."
The Blackhawks will be trying to keep the puck away from Rask´s glove.
¨"We know he has a good glove," Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw. "Ìf he
sees the puck, he´s going to catch it. So we need to get more traffic and get
it to his blocker side."
USA TODAY LOADED: 06.22.2013
682033
Websites
USA TODAY / Rangers introduce Alain Vigneault as coach
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports 3:17 p.m. EDT June 21, 2013
The New York Rangers made sure to thank fired coach John Tortorella
before introducing Alain Vigneault as the franchise's 35th coach.
But it quickly was clear that Vigneault will be different from Tortorella, who
was known for his tough, aggressive, shot-blocking defensive style and
terse exchanges with the news media.
"I believe your top skill players have to be given a little latitude," Vigneault,
52, who received a five-year contract, said during his opening news
conference at Radio City Music Hall. "They have to understand the time
when you have to play a little higher percentage, but they also have to be
given the latitude to make something out of nothing."
He joins the Rangers after seven years as coach of the Vancouver
Canucks, where he won six division titles, two Presidents' trophies and
reached the 2011 Stanley Cup Final before losing to the Boston Bruins in
seven games. He was coach of the year in 2007 and a finalist in 2010 and
2011 and also coached in another major hockey market with the Montreal
Canadiens from 1997-2000.
Vigneault noted that he had originally installed a more defensive-oriented
system when he first arrived in Vancouver but adapted as the Canucks
acquired more skilled players. The Canucks had some of the NHL's top
offensive numbers during the latter part of his time there.
MORE: Dallas Stars name Lindy Ruff coach
He said his emphasis is on making the right play.
"If you've got room to make a play, make a play," he said. "If you've got
space and time to carry the puck, carry the puck. If the other team ... is
playing you tight, sometimes you have to make the high-percentage play
and chip the puck in."
Vigneault's offensive leaning was one of the many attributes that give him
the edge over the other 12 candidates. Six were interviewed, two in person.
"He had that sense of ambition that I like," general manager Glen Sather
said. "He's been a winner. He wants to be a winner here. And I like his track
record."
Mark Messier also interviewed for the job and Sather said he would talk to
the Hall of Famer soon about his desires within the organization.
Vigneault was a popular candidate after he was fired following a first-round
sweep. He pulled his name from consideration for the Dallas Stars, leading
to a week of speculation that he was heading to the Rangers.
"I did find it's a lot easier to negotiate a contract when you've got two teams
that are after you instead of just one," he joked.
The Rangers had the Eastern Conference's best record in 2011-12 and
reached the conference final. This past season, they finished sixth and
were handled easily in the second round by the Bruins.
Vigneault said the Rangers have one of the best goalies in the world in
Henrik Lundqvist, the making of two strong offensive lines and a wellbalanced defense.
"I'm coming here to win," he said, "and I've got no doubt in my mind that his
organization to committed to winning the Stanley Cup. We have a lot of
great pieces here and we're going to continue to try and improve so we get
to where we want to be."
USA TODAY LOADED: 06.22.2013
682034
Websites
YAHOO SPORTS / Why NHL superstars have it tough in the Stanley Cup
Final
Nicholas J. Cotsonika
LeBron James held the ball in his hands and more – the game, the series,
maybe even his sport. Time after time, spot after spot, shot after shot, the
best basketball player in the world found the space to show his skills. He
lived up to the hype on the biggest stage and led his team to a title for the
second straight year.
What does this have to do with hockey?
Nothing.
That’s the point.
This is not a column about why hockey is better or worse than basketball,
born of some superiority or inferiority complex. This is a column about why
hockey is so hard to play in its own way and so damn hard to figure out
even for hardened puckheads.
And this is a primer for people who might pay attention now that King
James has been crowned and – hey, that’s weird – the Stanley Cup Final is
still on. Two Original Six teams are tied, 2-2? Chicago Blackhawks? Boston
Bruins? Best 2-out-of-3? Beer me.
It's harder for players – even superstars – to impose their will on a game in
hockey than in other team sports. …It goes in cycles. Hockey wanes in
popularity in the American mainstream, and then the American mainstream
waxes poetic about hockey for whatever reason. It’s wax on this year
despite the lockout, maybe because of the lockout. See a cover story in
Sports Illustrated: “THE BEST – WHY THE NHL POSTSEASON IS LIKE
NO OTHER.” Read a piece by the esteemed Joe Posnanski: “HOCKEY – A
WRINGER OF EMOTIONS LIKE NO OTHER.”
The Stanley Cup playoffs are like no other. Just look at the NBA playoffs to
understand and appreciate why, and start with this: The Miami Heat of the
NBA went to a third straight Finals and won back-to-back championships
despite a worthy opponent in the San Antonio Spurs. The Miami Heat of the
NHL got swept in the third round.
Bruins winger Milan Lucic compared the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Heat
entering the Eastern Conference final because they had the best player in
the world in Sidney Crosby and a collection of stars that came together
partly by choice, making them the favorites.
But the Bruins shut down all those stars. The Pens scored only two goals in
four games. Crosby and Evgeni Malkin – MVPs, scoring champions, league
champions, just like LeBron – didn’t record a point. Neither did Jarome
Iginla, James Neal or Kris Letang.
Afterward, Bruins winger Jaromir Jagr – another MVP, scoring champion,
league champion, just like LeBron – brought up the Heat.
“It’s like in basketball, when you have a good player, you double-team him,
let other guys beat you,” Jagr said. “Same thing. If you’re going to play
against LeBron James, you’re going to put two guys on him, let the other
guys beat you. Let the Birdman beat you.”
Jagr locked his thumbs and flapped his fingers like wings.
“He’s pretty good,” he said with a laugh. “That’s the way it is.”
Except it isn’t the same thing. Why couldn’t the Spurs do to James what the
Bruins did to Crosby? Why did James beat them while Chris Andersen –
the “Birdman” – had only three points in Game 7? Why have the winning
goals in the Stanley Cup Final come not from the stars but from Andrew
Shaw, Daniel Paille, Daniel Paille again and Brent Seabrook?
There are some similarities. James rose to the challenge not just because
of his talent, but because of a work ethic that made his outside shot a
strength. The games can be tight, and a series can hinge on one dramatic
moment, like Ray Allen’s three-pointer that saved the Heat at the end of
regulation in Game 6. Luck can play a role, like when Mario Chalmers
banked in a buzzer-beating trey at the end of the third quarter of Game 7.
The supporting cast can make an impact. Shane Battier knocked down
those shots.
Basketball, like hockey, is a team game. The difference is, the best players
have a much greater influence on it. They win it or lose it for their teams. It
might come down to one shot, but that shot never goes in off a shinpad,
and it is never taken by a grinder or defenseman.
On a given night, lucky bounces and deflections can dictate a game's
outcome as much as any other factor. (Reu …We put pressure on hockey
stars and judge them on team success, but so much of winning and losing
is out of individual control. It is so difficult for any player to impose his will
on the game. A goalie can dominate, but he can be undone by bounces,
like the Bruins’ Tuukka Rask in Game 1, or breakdowns and rebounds, like
Rask in Game 4. A defenseman can intimidate, but he can be brought down
to size quickly, like the Bruins’ Zdeno Chara in Game 4. A forward can do
everything right and still not score. He can brood in frustration, and then he
can gain confidence simply because he tips a puck and it slips in
underneath a pad.
Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews said “it doesn’t make much sense”
that a puck going off your stick “can liberate you as a player,” taking the
pressure off, allowing you to stop forcing things, “but it does.” It’s hockey,
and it doesn’t make much sense sometimes. Toews put up big numbers
when the Blackhawks won the Cup in 2010. He won the Conn Smythe
Trophy as the playoff MVP. He feels he is a better player now, and many
hockey people consider him the ultimate three-zone centerman and
competitor. But when he scored on a tip in Game 4, it was only his second
goal in 21 games. Make sense of that.
The NHL has a hard salary cap. Its talent is spread evenly throughout the
league. The coaches are sophisticated, the systems are refined, the goalies
are overstuffed, the emotions are raised, the lanes are clogged and the
referees are human. Especially in the playoffs, especially deep in the
playoffs, things are so close that it almost has to come down to something
unplanned, the flip of a coin. The best strategy is to increase your odds –
get the puck, keep the puck, get traffic in front, attempt shots and give
yourself more chances to score goals somehow.
The negative is negation over creation, the stars not standing out enough,
the undermining of the meritocracy, too much randomness. The best player
in a given game, let alone the game, probably won’t have the puck on his
stick in position to make the difference at the defining moment. No team
has repeated in 15 years. Whoever wins the Cup this year will be the first to
win it twice in the cap era – as big an accomplishment as there is in the
NHL today. Maybe the league would have an easier time marketing itself if
it had a Wayne Gretzky or a dynasty that would hook casual fans year after
year.
But the positive is unpredictability. You never know which player will win it
or lose it, which shot or bounce will decide it, when the defining moment will
come. You never know what the night will be like – short or long, defensive
or offensive, boring or breathtaking. In this series, we have had triple
overtime and two more OTs, blown leads and comebacks, beautiful goals
and lucky goals, stifling defense and up-and-down action. Who’s going to
win the Conn Smythe? Who’s going to win the Cup? Who knows?
“What’s happening right now I think is very fitting,” said Bruins coach
Claude Julien. “Anybody who’s watched this series so far probably realizes
that both these teams are pretty well-balanced and match up well against
each other. For fans that are watching hockey, I think that’s what they want
to see, and that’s what we’re providing.”
Yep. Like no other.
YAHOO.COM LOADED: 06.22.2013