#2018-19 NHL Season

[strawberryblondebutch]

I feel like I just saw a video about this Deangelo guy… is he like super controversial or something? The name sounds familiar 🤔

Oh babe you've come to the right place. Here's a little timeline on Tony DeAngelo's whole deal:

2014: while playing in the OHL, DeAngelo (herefore known as TDA) is suspended eight games for calling his own teammate a slur. This is his second suspension of the season under the OHL's Abuse/Diversity Policy, though details of the first were never revealed. He also ends the season with back-to-back suspensions/ejections for abuse of an official. The Tampa Bay Lightning ultimately draft TDA 19th overall. Then-GM Steve Yzerman defends his decision despite the character issues, insisting that "he'll change and grow up". This is what we writers call "subtle foreshadowing."

2016: In his rookie season with the Syracuse Crunch, TDA is healthy scratched eight times for a combination of defensive and behavioral issues. He's traded to the Arizona Coyotes before the 2016-17 season.

2017: With the Coyotes, TDA is suspended three games for physical assault of a referee. He's traded to the New York Rangers before the 2017-18 season.

2019: TDA looks like he's found a stable home with the Rangers. However, he's healthy scratched 20 times over the course of the 2018-19 season for various outbursts. This includes a back-to-back scratch in February due to what head coach David Quinn described as "a maturity issue".

2021: Cue Jaws theme. In the first game of the Covid-shortened 2020-21 season, TDA takes an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Quinn pulls him aside and tells him this is the last straw - one more incident and you're out of New York. Two weeks later, TDA yells at Georgiev to "make a fuckin' save" after a loss, and the two get into a fistfight. Then-GM Jeff Gorton tells reporters that TDA "has played his last game as a Ranger" and intentionally places the guy on the taxi squad instead of on waivers. He literally goes in the time-out corner for the remainder of the year. They buy out his contract at the end of the season.

2023: DeAngelo spends the 2021-22 season trying to rehab his reputation with the Carolina Hurricanes, and prior to the 2022-23 season, the (pinches bridge of nose) Philadelphia Flyers trade for him and extend him. (I don't wanna talk about it, I wasn't the one in that GM chair.) Although his outbursts are less aggressive in Philly, he can't play defense to save his life, and John Tortorella scratches him for the last five games of a season, thinking it more valuable to play with only five defenseman rather than let this guy see the ice. They can't trade him back to the Canes due to a rule in the NHL collective bargaining agreement, so instead the Flyers have to buy him out, making him the first player in NHL history to be bought out multiple times.

2024: Now a free agent - again - DeAngelo returns to the Hurricanes for the 2023-24 season. To the best of my knowledge, he keeps the outbursts under control, but he doesn't have much of an opportunity, as he's a healthy scratch most of the season. With no one in the NHL willing to give him a chance, he instead signs in Russia with SKA Saint Petersburg, where reports say he was a complete jackass who refused to play his position and would intentionally screw over his team by overextending his shifts, screaming at his teammates, and doing anything to score goals (which would net him a contract bonus).

2025: A defenseman who can't play defense, and who has problems with authority, is now playing for the most stiff-shirt, straight-backed team in the league. As I said... good luck, babe!

Now, the on-ice antics are only half the story, because this guy can't keep his mouth shut online. He attacks randoms on Twitter, claimed the pandemic was a hoax, famously lost his marbles during the 2020 election cycle, and most recently insisted that he was blackballed from the NHL for being a conservative. You know, like three-quarters of the league is? Maybe you just suck, Tony.

The most offensive thing he did to me personally was when his dad insisted that the boy can't stop himself from saying slurs, it's a South Philly thing. Now, I'm from South Philly, and I don't know. I don't call my teammates slurs. It's a really easy thing to avoid, actually. But most damningly...

You're not from Philly, dumbass.

You're from New Jersey.

Keep my neighborhood out your mouth.

[whirlpool-blogs]

An Inside Look at Jack Hughes, the Top NHL Draft Prospect Flyers Fans Are Craving

Published January 28, 2019

Understandably, John Wroblewski had initial doubts.

Not necessarily about the player as much as the situation. Wroblewski was coaching the 2016-17 U.S. national U-18 team when the little brother of star defenseman Quinn Hughes tagged along for a skate.

That little brother was Jack Hughes and Wroblewski had yet to see him play.

"You sort of ask the questions, OK, well how often do you have a 15-year-old skating with a U-18 team and how good is the kid?" Wroblewski said.

The verdict?

"The answer is he's pretty good, he's pretty good," Wroblewski said with a laugh last Wednesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "We've got to keep an eye on him. You get him out there and instantaneously he fits in and exceeds and then also enamors you - all three of these observationalist thought processes come to your senses in that hour and a half skate of this tiny, little kid who somehow comes out and impresses you so much within that short period of time.

"Not only with his skill level, but kind of how some of the great players out there, how they can make the game slow down or speed up at their will. It's tough to describe unless you've been around him."

Wroblewski has been around him a bunch, coaching Hughes for the second straight season in the U.S. national team development program. 

Unequivocally, he now knows all about the 17-year-old, a darting and dynamic center whose playmaking ability can cause motion sickness for opponents.

Before the start of 2018-19, Hughes was hardly a blip on the Flyers' radar. Not with the team signing James van Riemsdyk to bolster an experienced roster and take its biggest step since the 2011-12 season. The NHL draft was an afterthought.

Oh, how things have changed.

The Flyers entered the All-Star break at 19-23-6 and with more points (44) than only two other NHL teams - the Devils (43) and Senators (43). A startling shake-up within the front office and coaching staff became the messy byproduct of another slow start, this one the most impactful of them all.

Suddenly but inevitably, Hughes' name has permeated the fan base. He is widely considered the consensus No. 1 pick for the 2019 NHL draft.

And Flyers fans are astutely aware. 

The golden spot is in sight.

Similar to any NHL draft, the climb of the top overall pick will be debated. Many will line Hughes up against past No. 1 selections - from Patrick Kane (2007) to Connor McDavid (2015) and fellow USNTDP product Auston Matthews (2016).

While Hughes is only 5-foot-10, 168 pounds and turns 18 just a month before the draft, Wroblewski sees him developing into a player of his own mold.

My belief is that he'll be in the NHL next year and there's really not a comparable. You're starting to see more and more of the hybrid type of player - guys that play with speed and skill. One of Jack's unique traits is that even though there are questions out there in regards to his size, he's a true center iceman and he will play in the middle and he will figure out a way to make it work.  You throw him into the blender with wingers like Kane and [Johnny] Gaudreau, but then you have to put him in the middle of the ice, so he's got that speed like McDavid. He doesn't have McDavid's size, but he's got things that I think McDavid would be envious of, as well.  There's a component here that I think has yet to be realized. Like his brother Quinn, young kids are going to look at him and want to be him as a player, sort of revolutionize the position that a quote, unquote undersized centerman can persevere and make it to be a superstar in the National Hockey League - because there's not a ton of them that have done that.

Wroblewski calls Hughes "manicured."

It's an excellent way to describe him. Hughes doesn't sound like a 17-year-old. He's well-spoken because he's well-groomed, unfazed by the hype of being the top-ranked 2019 draft prospect.

He credits much of his maturity and preparation to his "great support system," featuring his family and coaches.

His father Jim Hughes, mother Ellen Weinberg-Hughes and uncle Marty Hughes all played Division I hockey. His older brother Quinn was drafted seventh overall by the Canucks last summer and plays at Michigan, while his younger brother Luke is 15 years old and considered an up-and-coming talent.

"We've all kind of been through the ringer already," Hughes said last Tuesday in a phone interview with NBC Sports Philadelphia. "I'm thankful to have them around me."

Wroblewski said the scouting presence this season for the Hughes-led U-18 team has been "overwhelming," but in a good sense.

"It's been nonstop, it's been relentless," Wroblewski said. "The scouting community - reporters doing articles or scouting prospects, [people] that do this for a living, and of course the NHL scouts - is all trying to decipher where do these guys fall in the pick of the litter. And I'll tell you, right behind Jack on this team, there's a slew of other players that are going to be right there with him in the National Hockey League."

For Hughes, the eyes on him are at an all-time high with the draft a little less than five months away.

Is he keen to the amplified attention?

"No, I've been dealing with that since I was 14, 15 years old," Hughes said. "A scout is pretty much another person in the building. All I have to do is play my game and have fun."

Like Wroblewski said, Hughes is manicured.

He gives you guys the clichés at times, but there's a little bit of twist to his cliché answers. There's insight there, it's not like he's just throwing out these random phrases. He's got practice at it, but he's not just going through the motions when he talks to the media, which gives me a lot of hope that he could be at that ultimate ambassador to the game. Not just a guy that goes through and plays excellent hockey and is a focal point, but somebody who is also attractive to the media.  At the same time, when the cameras are away and he's not on the spotlight, he's a kid. He's a high school kid who is goofy and funny in the back of the bus - he's got personality, he's got swagger, he has a lot of the intangibles.

There wasn't just one play or game that convinced Wroblewski.

"I don't think moments capture excellence," he said, "particularly with a kid that's going to go No. 1 overall in the draft."

The World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in November 2017 was when Wroblewski really saw it. The U.S. had taken home gold by beating Canada, 6-4, in Dawson Creek, British Columbia.

Hughes led the field with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in six games.

"He just completely dominated the event - and then as the octane and the temperature rose in the tournament, he continued to surpass expectations and continued to dominate and find another level," Wroblewski said. "In a hostile environment - he was a kid who grew up a bit in Toronto wearing the American sweater, and all of a sudden he's thrust into this environment; it was such a pro-Canadian environment, and he allows himself to block out all the X-factors and just concentrate on dominating the game at hand. 

"That to me was kind of the time where I was like, 'This kid is No. 1.' I always had that throughout the fall, but from there on, it was like, 'This is the kid that's going No. 1 next year.'"

Hughes strives to be the entire package.

That doesn't mean he's there yet. However, the multifaceted, no-holes-in-your-game mindset is what pushes him.

"As a hockey player, everything you do you want to improve," Hughes said. "You see the best players in the world working on their game, year in and year out. For me, I focus on everything, but some of the things I focus on the most are my faceoffs and my shot. Those are two things that need to be really good to be a good player."

What about his strengths?

I play a new brand of hockey - speed and skill, the way the game is now. I'm kind of an open book. There are a lot of great players out there and something that they all have in common is that they're Swiss Army knives. They can do everything really well. I feel like my game is what my game is, but I'm working on other parts of my game and trying to become the best at everything that I do. I'm going to show up to the rink to compete and have fun.

In 28 games this season as the captain of the U.S. national U-18 team, Hughes has 56 points on 13 goals and 43 assists. In 60 combined games last season between the U-17 and U-18 teams, Hughes had 116 points on 40 goals and 76 assists.

"He's a workhorse on and off the ice," Wroblewski said. "He'll do whatever it takes. When he finds a deficiency in his game, or if there's something not at - if you want to scale things out of five - if there's something that's not at a five, he'll start working right away at getting to that number. 

"Last year, it was his shot. He did not have a very good shot. It was still good, but it wasn't elite. He went at it hard this summer, his one-timer, his release, everything else has improved so much in that regard. And that's something that I think he'll continue to do."

The Twitter hashtag has grown in popularity for any struggling team near the NHL basement and in the ballpark of the 2019 draft's first overall slot. #LoseForHughes.

Hughes isn't oblivious to the slogan in which many Flyers fans have adopted.

"The first time I heard it was actually my OHL draft year (2016-17)," he said with a laugh. "It's not new to me, but every time I see it, it's pretty funny and I get a little chuckle out of it."

How hard the Flyers charge after the All-Star break will determine their chances for Hughes, while the NHL draft lottery results will have the final say.

Whichever team does land Hughes, its fans will be on board with his message.

"I'd tell them I hope to give them a lot of good years," Hughes said. "That's what every player wants - they want to go to a city that's hungry to win and a city that's a lot of fun. That's really what I'd be excited about - have fun with the city and playing hockey for the community and the city, for however long I'm there."

[puckpocketed]

i wasn’t even joking about the thomas speer princess treatment btw. btw. i know the sharks have a Reputation for goalie breaking but to give you all some counter propaganda… he did good work with kahkonen and blackwood and i expect given the chance he’ll do the same for georgiev

Published October 17 2023, How a coach’s visit in Toronto helped Mackenzie Blackwood get comfortable with the San Jose Sharks - by Curtis Pashelka (link)

SAN JOSE – Mackenzie Blackwood was about a week away from leaving Toronto and heading to the Bay Area last month for the start of training camp when he got a visit from San Jose Sharks goalie coach Thomas Speer.

The two had previously only talked on the phone, and that was after Blackwood had been acquired by the Sharks last June and subsequently signed to a two-year contract extension. So Speer’s visit gave the two a chance to get to know each other a bit better and get on the same page prior to camp.

It was also a personal gesture that Blackwood appreciated.

“That shows a lot,” Blackwood said Monday. “To come and spend some time and go out of your way to come work with me. Yeah, I was appreciative.”

Speer, now in his second season with the Sharks, is tasked with helping the team solve its goaltending woes after years of being well below average. The Sharks haven’t had a team save percentage over .901 since the 2017-2018 season and last year, that number sunk to an NHL low of .881.

So far, the Sharks are off to a better start, with Blackwood stopping 51 of 52 shots in the Sharks’ 2-1 shootout loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. After the game, Blackwood was quick to credit his teammates for keeping most shot attempts to the perimeter, but also Speer for the work they’ve done together over the last several weeks.

“He’s been good. Lots of help for me, working on keeping my game tight, not overplaying stuff, and keeping my feet underneath me a little bit more,” Blackwood said. “If you get stuck, re-adjust, and keep moving. Staying square. So just a lot of little stuff that we’ve kind of chipped away at, but it all adds up to something big.”

Not surprisingly, Blackwood will get the start again on Tuesday when the Sharks face Brent Burns and the Carolina Hurricanes at SAP Center. But with the way the Sharks’ schedule unfolds this month, with seven games over the next 13 days, both Blackwood and Kaapo Kahkonen figure to get a fair amount of work.

Speer worked with Kahkonen last season, helping to change his game and improve his confidence. Kahkonen had a .895 save percentage in his final 18 games last season compared to a .869 mark over the first 19 games.

Kahkonen played well in the preseason and aside from one goal late in the second period, Quinn felt the Finnish-born netminder had a positive outing in the Sharks’ 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last Thursday.

“The one thing about (Speer), he cares so much about the guys he coaches,” Quinn said. “Great tactician, but he has the ability to connect with the people he’s coaching and that’s what makes him a great coach.

“He doesn’t coach everybody the same. He knows every guy’s a little bit different. … But the connection he creates with his goalies is pretty special.”

Quinn said that after Saturday’s game, no one was happier for Blackwood than Kahkonen.

“Big hug, big smile,” Quinn said. “To me, you can’t win (on the ice) until you win in (the locker room). We think we got two guys that could do that, which would make it difficult for the coach. But those are great problems to have.”

Certainly, that’s where the Sharks want to get to under Speer. who is in his 11th year as a goalie coach, working with both amateurs and professionals at a variety of levels. Before he came to the Sharks, Speer spent three seasons with the Stockton Heat, the former AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames.

“I’ve had coaches that I’ve gotten along with, but it’s nice to have a guy here that you get to spend every day with that knows the game, knows my game, and knows what I need to do. Very detailed,” Blackwood said. “And you get to know him, he’s a great guy. So far, everything has been great.”

[toasttt11]

phoenix zegras

Phoenix Nicholas Zegras

Number: 19

Season: Sixth

Position: D

Height: 6”5

Hometown: Bedford, New York

S/C: L

NHL: PHI

Prev Team: USNTDP

NHL

Selected First Overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2018 NHL Draft.

International

Team USA

•2018 World Junior Championship- Gold, 9 G, 9 A, 7 GP

•2017 World Junior Championship-Gold, 7 G, 11 A, 7 GP

•2016 World U-18 Hockey Challenge- Gold Medal, 5 G, 11 A, 7 GP

•2015 World U-17 Hockey Challenge- Gold Medal, 6 G, 10 A, 6 GP

Sixth Season (2023-2024)

Philadelphia Flyers

50 G, 99 A, 149 P, 80 GP

Received Hart Memorial Trophy.

Alternative Captain.

Fifth Season (2022-2023)

Philadelphia Flyers

36 G, 90 A, 126 P, 68 GP

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Alternative Captain.

Fourth Season (2021-2022)

Philadelphia Flyers

32 G, 88 A, 120 P, 72 GP

Alternative Captain.

Third Season (2020-2021)

Philadelphia Flyers

16 G, 41 A, 57 P, 40 GP

Signed a Contract for 60 Million dollars for Six years and a 4 million dollar signing bonus

Second Season (2019-2020)

Philadelphia Flyers

32 G, 100 A, 132 P, 78 GP

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Rookie Season (2018-2019)

Philadelphia Flyers

20 G, 79 A, 99 P, 84 GP

Received the Rookie of the Year award.

Signed a Contract for 12 Million dollars for three years and a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

USHL

U.S National Development Team

(2017-2018)

20 G, 62 A, 82 P, 34 GP

Draft Year

U.S National Development Team

(2016-2017)

18 G, 52 A, 70 P, 30 GP

U.S National Development Team

(2015-2016)

15 G, 65 A, 80 P, 36 GP

Started playing a year earlier than his age.

Personal

• Born March 19, 2000

• Son of Gary and Julie Zegras

• Has three siblings Griffin, Trevor and Ava

[north-wilkesboro-moonshine-cave]

fell down a rabbit hole today bc I woke up remembering I was in high school in 2018-2019’s nhl season and I have remembered that:

Robert Thomas in his rookie season on the blues at 19 years old was living with Keith “Big Walt” Tkachuk

Thommer and the blues had the last place to Stanley cup champion season that same year

both of the lesser tkachuk brothers (they have all made the joke that he’s the favorite son we can make this bit) were in the nhl by then, Brady was like. First or second season.

which means that year Taryn was the last other kid in the house, and she was destroying *my* (but also all other) school’s field hockey team(s) (they were state champs in 2018 I’m pretty sure)

the brothers returned home like directly after their season ended.

Sitcom ass house in St. Louis county

[tuukkarasksass]

This is utterly heartbreaking. Hockey players know it is a dangerous sport. However, we’re most often able to mitigate these dangers. And they really are one-in-million chance for catastrophic results. Nevertheless, we sometimes forget to appreciate just how vulnerable we are: running around on ice with giant razors attached to our feet. The hockey community is thinking of everyone involved. May Adam’s memory give some small comfort to his loved ones during this devastating time.

[rouzys]

THE UNOFFICIAL ST. LOUIS BLUES PRIMER PART THREE: GOALIES + MORE

JORDAN BINNINGTON (Binner)

Info: #50, STL 2011

Last season: 3.31 GAA + .894 SV%

History: Played his first ever NHL game in an emergency role in the 15-16 season, then developed in the minors until the fateful 18-19 season where he was the backup to Jake Allen. Through the season, he proved that he could by the #1 goalie for the team and started each of the Blues' 26 playoff games. He became the regular Blues starting goalie, though he would split starts with Ville Husso in the 21-22 season, and then start 61 of 82 games in the 22-23 season (sorry to Griess, he was not very good). The 23-24 season has been a bit of a redemption season for him after posting his worst ever numbers last year and also being notably rowdier than usual.

Profile: Look. He's a good goalie. He's a GREAT goalie when he has a reliable backup, which he definitely does this season. He's never been able to replicate the level he was on in the 18-19 season, but he's still proven time and again that he is a good goalie. On a more technical level, he has a tendency to over-commit to one shot or angle and leave the back door wide open, which isn't great on a team with an unreliable defense. My dad says he sometimes "flops around like a fish" so take that as you will.

Other: Grew up playing with current Thunderbirds goalie Malcolm Subban! Also he got married summer of 2023 and a lot of the younger guys from the 18-19 season, several of which haven't played on the Blues in a few years, were there :) it was sweet :)

JOEL HOFER (Hof) (?)

Info: #30, STL 2018

Last season: 2.50 GAA + .921 SV% (AHL)

History: ROOKIE GOALIE !!!! He played 6 games last year after Binnington's suspension, and proved himself so well that the Blues had three goalies on their roster for an extra week or so. In the AHL he's averaged about a .910 SV% and he actually scored a goal in the 2022 Calder Cup playoffs !! He has one more year on his two-year one-way contract, but if he keeps playing the way he is, he'll probably be sticking around for a while longer! He's definitely still adjusting to the NHL but he's only been improving

Other: Lives with Jake Neighbours! Their friendship is very cute, definitely watch for them in the headbutt line after wins :) My mom says he looks very polite

ROOKIES/SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS PLAYERS TO KNOW !

disclaimer: i don't watch the AHL games. im not made of money. also for the record they play in springfield, massachusetts

NIKITA ALEXANDROV

Info: #59, C, STL 2019

Smaller player weight-wise but still throws himself around. Up and down between STL and Springfield a bunch as he develops. Young and inexperienced but played well in the 22-23 season when he played 28 NHL games !

MACKENZIE MACHEACHERN

Info: #28, LW, STL 2012

Nearly 30 and has played 123 NHL games. Played for the Hurricanes organization last year but returned to the Thunderbirds for the 23-24 season. Reliable callup if someone is injured.

HUGH MCGING

Info: #56, LW, STL 2018

Literally the funniest name in the world, and he's on a team with Mackenzie Maceachern. Made his NHL debut last season and played a handful of games this season and has yet to score a point, but seems solid on the Thunderbirds!

JAKUB VRANA

Info: #15, LW, WSH 2014

Won the cup with the Capitals in 2018, came to the Blues at the 2023 trade deadline and had a fantastic 10 goals and 14 points in just 20 games. He came back for the 23-24 season, made the team, and then did not play up to potential. Was a regular healthy scratch for about half of the games in the first half of the season, and then got sent to Springfield. Has spent non-insignificant amounts of time in the AHL in the last several seasons

MATTHEW KESSEL

Info: #51, RD, STL 2020

Currently in the Blues lineup as players deal with injuries! Has played 8 NHL games between this season and last season and has yet to score a point, but has been very good on the Thunderbirds!! Solid young right-shot defenseman with offensive ability :)

ADAM GAUDETTE

Info: #88, C, VAN 2015

Technically a prospect despite having played 218 NHL games between the Canucks, Blackhawks, and Senators. Came to the Blues at the 2023 trade deadline in the O'Reilly and Acciari trade after spending the season playing for the Toronto Marlies. He already has 23 goals + 35 points in just 35 games with the Thunderbirds, was AHL player of the month in Oct 2023, and was just recently named to the AHL All Star Game! Currently leads the entire AHL in goals

kind of a stud. hope to see him play on the blues at some point <3

NAMES YOU MIGHT HEAR: Zachary Bolduc, Leo Loof, Jimmy Snuggerud, Otto Stenberg, Dalibor Dvorsky, Juraj Pekarcik. All recent high draft picks (2022-2023) and players to keep an eye on if you’re interested !

[devilsupdates]

5 Bargain Free Agents the Devils Must Target

May 21, 2024 by Josh Reinitz

Heading into the offseason, the New Jersey Devils have multiple issues. The most pressing is finding a new head coach. With the search narrowed to, at most, four potential candidates and with a decision expected before the holiday weekend, the next focus should be planning for free agency. The Devils will head into the offseason with almost $19 million in available cap space (Per CapFriendly). They will be 16th in the NHL in available cap space. However, those numbers may change drastically should the team enter into an extension with pending restricted free agent (RFA) Dawson Mercer and/or acquire a top-level goaltender without offsetting salary.

Earlier this week, AFP Analytics released detailed projections for every free agent to hit the market this summer. While no model is ever 100% predictive, AFP’s version gives a good baseline on what players can expect to cost in the offseason. The Devils are fortunate to have their core locked up on long-term, team-friendly deals or entry-level contracts. The only core member they have to decide on is the aforementioned Mercer, who they could even punt on for the time being and tender a qualifying offer, as he is still a year removed from having arbitration rights.

Even with the core locked up, the Devils are not without needs. General manager Tom Fitzgerald has indicated he wants to construct a team that is more difficult to play against and made up of players you can win with. He has considerable assets ready to compete in any trade market he deems appropriate with a top-ten draft pick and young, talented, inexpensive players like Alexander Holtz and Seamus Casey who could be made available. With the bigger moves likely to come in the trade market, the Devils should use free agency to build depth and fill in around the edges. The most glaring places needing depth are a bottom-six forward, penalty-killing/defense-first defenseman, and middle-six depth on the wing. Here is a look at five players projected to cost under $3 million per year, who the Devils should kick the tires on July 1.

Kevin Stenlund, Center – Projection: 2 Years x $1.34 Million

Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito signed center Kevin Stenlund as a free agent on July 1, 2023, to add depth to his bottom six due to his familiarity with him from both their days in Columbus. Stenlund has fit well in head coach Paul Maurice’s system and bolstered a strong bottom-six in Florida’s run to the Eastern Conference Final. The Devils spent much of the second half of last season trying to fill the enormous void left by the departure of Michael McLeod after being charged with sexual assault in conjunction with other members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior Team. Stenlund, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound right-handed center, could be the answer New Jersey has been seeking. Stenlund would be the only right-handed primary centerman on the Devils, but he is also a dangerous penalty killer with two short-handed goals in each of his last two seasons. His underlying numbers in 2023-24 were not perfect for a bottom-six center. However, it was only his first full season in the NHL, and there is room for improvement. Getting in on Stenlund at this time in his career could be a boon for whichever team ultimately signs the Swede. It is difficult to find a center entering his prime who stands 6-foot-4, is right-handed, wins faceoffs over 50% of the time, kills penalties, and will cost you less than $1.5 million a season. He has been an integral part of Florida’s success, having logged over 106 bottom-six minutes at 5v5 in this year’s playoffs without having been on the ice for a goal against. He has also shown improvement in handling the puck, limiting his giveaways to 14 total this season after being credited with 12 in just 54 games last season. Stenlund would be a welcome addition to the Devils’ bottom six, forming an intimidating line with the likes of Curtis Lazar and Nathan Bastian/Kurtis MacDermid, and his ability to kill penalties would also allow the new coach to better focus the ice time of some of their forwards drafted into PK service last season. On balance, Stenlund is a fit for New Jersey in terms of play and price.

William Carrier, Left Wing – Projection: 2 Years x $2.4 Million

The Golden Knights do not have a selection in the second through fifth rounds of this year’s NHL Draft. Carrier is one of the diamonds in the rough of this year’s free agent class. He could even be someone the Devils wisely target before July 1 by expending capital to acquire his rights in a trade with Vegas for a later-round pick. Watching the playoffs this season, Carrier’s skill was fully on display. He is a capable puck-transporter as a winger and has the speed to threaten defenses and the bite to hamper opposing offenses. Notably, in a series his team lost, the save percentage at 5v5 with him on the ice was still almost 93%, and only two goals were scored against him in nearly 75 minutes of ice time. In this year’s playoffs alone, he was ranked in the 81st percentile in top speed and 92nd percentile for the number of speed bursts above 22 mph while only playing in one round. (Per NHL Edge)

The only nagging concern about Carrier is his inability to stay healthy. He has never played a full 82 games in a season but has always been available in the postseason for Vegas. The Devils should have enough depth with Lazar, Bastian, MacDermid, and Nolan Foote to rest Carrier throughout the season as needed. With the style of play he brings, it is natural to need additional rest, and it is a trade-off the Devils should be willing to accept for the chance to add a fast, 29-year-old winger who averages 244 hits per 82 games for under $2.5 million.

Brenden Dillon, Left Defense – Projection: 2 Years x $2.86 Million

While a bit pricier than the others on this list, defenseman Brenden Dillon solves enough of New Jersey’s issues to be worth the extra cash. At 33 years old, he is closer to the end than the start of his career, but with that age comes a vast amount of regular season and playoff experience. Two seasons ago, the Devils learned that playing defensemen with top-four talent on your third pair pays huge dividends and should strongly consider doing the same with Dillon. He mostly closely resembles former Devil Ryan Graves in size at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, but even though he is six years older, he is still a better, faster skater than Graves (Per NHL Edge) and brings more edge and aggression.

Dillon has never been shy about standing up for his teammates, a quality that is valued by New Jersey. This season, he participated in seven fights, many of which were in response to liberties taken by opponents on other Jets. He is also a premier penalty killer and defensive defenseman without sacrificing mobility and the ability to move the puck out of danger by passing or skating. This season he was credited with 241 hits and 111 blocks, both would have led New Jersey as would his career 82-game average of 198 hits and 110 blocks. Dillon has demonstrated durability throughout his 13-year career, having played at least 76 games every full season since his rookie year. The Devils may have to go up for a more favorable average annual value (AAV), but a three-year deal at $2.5 million AAV makes sense for both parties.

Jordan Martinook, Winger – Projection: 3 Years x $2.765 Million One of the easiest ways to improve your team is to take talent from your competitors. Signing middle-six winger Jordan Martinook would do just that for New Jersey. In his end-of-season press conference, Fitzgerald said he needed players he could win with on his roster. Martinook is that type of player. His counting stats belie his value, but every good team has players like him. The 31-year-old winger can play on either side of any line in the bottom nine and kill penalties. His play to save a goal in Game 6 vs. the New York Rangers in this year’s playoffs will be replayed forever. His success last season against the Devils in the playoffs should also not be lost on Fitzgerald.

The Carolina Hurricanes dominated in the regular season at 5v5 with Martinook on the ice. His expected goals for percentage (xGF%) and Corsi For percentage (CF%) were over 60. The team also had 218 more scoring chances than their opponents with Martinook on the ice. Forming a line of Ondrej Palat, Erik Haula, and Martinook would provide the team with one of the peskiest third lines in the NHL. He also brings durability. He has never played less than 77 games in his six non-COVID-impacted seasons. His skating would fit in with the Devils’ style of play as his speed bursts rank him in the 80th percentile in the NHL for bursts above 20 and 22 mph. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged 33 points per season, but the offense is not on top of the Devils’ list. However, his ability to score in the clutch and provide secondary scoring in the playoffs is highly valued. Martinook’s signing would signal a power shift within the division, and the Devils should be all in for the winger.

Jani Hakanpaa, Defenseman – Projection: 1 Year x $1.51 Million

Much like Dillon, Jani Hakanpaa would bring size, stability, and experience as an affordable third-pair defenseman. Also, like Dillon, Hakanpaa may be forced out of the Dallas Stars lineup, not due to his play but the emergence of young prospects. The 6-foot-6 225-pound Finn has less mileage on him than Dillon but is equally effective and is right-handed. Should the Devils decide to hold onto Kevin Bahl and/or move John Marino, they may see the need for depth on the right side, making Hakanpaa a perfect fit.

Hakanpaa has been forced out of this year’s playoffs with an injury but will slot back into the Stars lineup once he is physically able. He spent most of the season as the Stars’ shutdown pair teamed with Esa Lindell. The pair was also the team’s first choice on the penalty kill. Like Dillon, Hakanpaa also brings unique physicality with an 82-game average of 265 hits and 127 blocks. Hakanpaa would be a welcome addition to New Jersey, especially if he only required a one-year deal; he would essentially take the cap hit and role that was envisioned for Colin Miller at the start of the season and not encumber the Devils’ long-term plans on the back end with contracts for Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec coming due in short order.

There are bargains to be had in free agency this season, and the Devils must be buyers if they want to reclaim their place in the postseason. These five players are a good start, but others out there could fit the bill, like former Devils Tomas Tatar and Stefan Noesen, to name two. How Fitzgerald decides to build around his core will go a long way toward determining for how long the team’s championship window remains open.

[joelfinley]

NHL Returning to Olympics in 2026

There hasn't been a best-on-best international ice hockey tournament since the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, but that will change in 2025 with the National Hockey League (NHL) 4 Nations Face-Off, a precursor to the league's return to the Olympics in 2026. Played from February 12 to 20 in Boston, Massachusetts, and Montreal, Quebec, the round-robin tournament will feature the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. The following year, NHL players will be participating in the Olympics for the first time since the Sochi 2014 Games.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the 4 Nations Face-Off, held in place of the annual All-Star Game in the 2024-25 season, will be a one-off event. In an effort to provide fans with more best-on-best international hockey, the NHL will host the World Cup of Hockey in 2028 and has an agreement with the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to send players to the 2030 Olympics. The league intends to host the World Cup two years after every Winter Olympics.

Ice hockey has been part of the Winter Olympics since 1920, when Canada beat the United States 2-0 to win the gold medal in Antwerp, Belgium. Canada won six of the first seven Olympic gold medals, following which the Soviet Union enjoyed a dominant stretch, winning seven of nine gold medals. However, NHL players weren't permitted to play in the Olympics until the Nagano Games in 1998, meaning the Canadian and American teams were composed of amateur athletes - the US, with a roster of mostly college players, famously beat the Soviets in the "Miracle on Ice" game in 1980.

The Czech Republic won gold in the first of five consecutive Winter Olympics in which NHL players participated, beating Russia 1-0 in the final. Surprisingly, neither Canada nor the US medaled. However, the North American nations met in the gold medal game at Salt Lake City in 2002 and Vancouver in 2010, with Canada winning both games. Sweden beat Finland in the gold medal game in Torino in 2006, and Canada beat Sweden in the final in Sochi in 2014.

The NHL, NHLPA, and IOC couldn't agree on NHL player inclusion in the 2018 Games in PyeongChang largely due to travel costs and marketing rights. This appeared to be a one-off as all parties agreed to a deal for NHL participation in the Beijing 2022 Games in September 2021, but the NHL and NHLPA backed out a few months later after a COVID-19 outbreak that disrupted an already shortened schedule for the NHL.

The upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off will be the first time some of the NHL's best players, including Auston Matthews (USA) and Connor McDavid (Canada), get to represent their respective countries in best-on-best international hockey. Both Matthews and McDavid played in the World Cup in 2016 but were part of the U23 Team North America. McDavid has been an outspoken advocate for international hockey and for the NHL to return to the Olympics.

In June, the four teams in the 4 Nations Face-Off selected their first six players for the upcoming tournament. McDavid headlines Canada's group, which also includes Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon. Matthews is joined by Matthew Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Adam Fox, and Charlie McAvoy on Team USA.

[laresearchette]

Tuesday, November 19, 2024 Canadian TV Listings (Times Eastern)

WHERE CAN I FIND THOSE PREMIERES? INTERIOR CHINATOWN (Disney + Star) THE FRENCH MONTANA STORY: FOR KHADIJA (Paramount+ Canada) THE LOUD HOUSE: THE REALLY LOUD HOUSE (Series Binge) (Paramount+ Canada) OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY (Paramount+ Canada) TROY (Paramount+ Canada) THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF BEVERLY HILLS (Slice) 8:00pm NIGHT COURT (CTV) 8:30pm NIGHT IS NOT ETERNAL (HBO Canada) 9:00pm DEFYING GRAVITY: THE CURTAIN RISES ON WICKED (City TV) 10:00pm TALES FROM OAK ISLAND (History Canada) 10:00pm

NEW TO AMAZON PRIME CANADA/CBC GEM/CRAVE TV/DISNEY + STAR/NETFLIX CANADA:

AMAZON PRIME CANADA CARL THE COLLECTOR THIS IS HOCKEY

DISNEY + STAR INTERIOR CHINATOWN (all episodes)

NETFLIX CANADA DECK THE HALLS FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL ADAM RAY’S DR. COMEDY PHIL SPECIAL ZOMBIEVERSE: NEW BLOOD (KR)

NCAA MEN'S HOCKEY (TSN2) 7:00pm: Boston College vs. Providence

NBA BASKETBALL (TSN/TSN4) 7:00pm: Cavaliers vs. Celtics (SNWest) 8:00pm: Nuggets vs. Grizzlies (TSN/TSN4) 9:30pm: Thunder vs. Spurs (TSN/TSN5) 10:00pm: Mavericks vs. Warriors

NHL HOCKEY (TSN5) 7:00pm: Oilers vs. (SNWest/TSN5) 7:00pm: Oilers vs. Sens (SN) 7:00pm: Lightning vs. Penguins (TSN3) 8:00pm: Panthers vs. Jets (SN1) 9:00pm: Islanders vs. Flames (SNPacific) 10:00pm: Rangers vs. Canucks

CHUCK AND THE FIRST PEOPLES' KITCHEN (APTN) 7:00pm: Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk, Quebec - Sea Urchins Harvesting: Chuck travels to the lower Saint-Lawrence community of Wolastoqiyik to meet chef Maxime Lizotte and to fish sea urchins which are abundant in the Saint-Lawrence River. Chuck takes a boat and heads to the water to harvest this delicious seafood.

THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES (CBC) 8:00pm

TODD TALBOT BUILDS: THE PASSIVE HOUSE PROJECT (Cottage Life) 8:00pm

THE GREAT BRITISH SEWING BEE (Makeful) 8:00pm: It’s Week Five of The Great British Sewing Bee, and this time the sewers are celebrating India with Nehru jackets, calico and Madras fabrics, and garments inspired by saris.

HOLIDAZED (W Network) 8:00pm/9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): A neighborhood of families rushes home for the holidays, ready to share in the chaos and joy of the season.

STILL STANDING (CBC) 8:30pm: Elliot Lake, ON: After the town's uranium mine went bust, Elliot Lake turned to of another precious resource: some of the most affordable real estate in the country.

LITTLE BIG COMMUNITY (APTN) 9:00pm: Healing is a collective effort on Pine Ridge. Meet Kyle and Stanley, Lakota men who use skateboards and horses to help youth connect with their traditions, boost self-worth, and thrive.

GOLD RUSH (Discovery Channel Canada) 9:00pm (SEASON PREMIERE): Parker buys Dominion Creek; the Beets family erupts into chaos when the eldest son, Kevin, takes the year off; after disappearing for a year, Rick Ness tries to pull off a longshot comeback.

THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT: UNLOCKING THE TRUTH (Nat Geo Canada) 9:00pm (SERIES PREMIERE): Looking into the journey and the story behind the notorious Stanford Prison Experiment, as told by its prisoners and guards.

THE NEW WAVE OF STANDUP (CBC) 9:30pm: Canada's hottest new comics gather for one hilarious night of standup at the Just For Laughs Vancouver festival.

A GOOD GAME (APTN) 10:30pm: During the 2018-2019 NHL season, The Ottawa Senators Community Foundation created an annual Indigenous appreciation night. John visits Kerry Andrews in Pikwakanagan to learn how attending this year's celebration affects her community.

[whirlpool-blogs]

BORN IN THE U.S.-EH: From the outdoor skating rinks to the beloved Maple Leafs, Toronto makes lasting impact on projected 2019 first overall NHL pick Jack Hughes

Nov 27, 2018

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — It was like watching a magician pull a quarter from behind someone’s ear. After the fact, you could piece together what had happened but in the moment everyone was fooled, most notably the three dizzied Dubuque defenders.

The ever-evolving magic show of 17-year-old Jack Hughes, the consensus No. 1 pick in the 2019 NHL draft in Vancouver this June, was in fine form on a recent Sunday afternoon inside the USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., on the outskirts of Detroit.

Hughes’ USA Hockey National Team Development Program under-18 squad was leading comfortably early into the third period of a United States Hockey League contest against the Fighting Saints — a team comprised of mostly 19- and 20-year-olds — when the top prospect pulled this particular rabbit from his hat. The play began when Hughes intercepted a haphazard clearing attempt. He then went to work, first cutting ever-so slightly to his left to find a seam — or, rather, create a seam — between a pair of helpless Dubuque players at their own blue line. Hughes coolly gained the zone and outsmarted one more opposing player before sliding a precise pass to teammate Cole Caufield, who easily cashed in, at which point the team’s play-by-play man proclaimed, “he made that look almost too easy.”

The announcer was referencing the goal-scorer but he could also have been talking about Hughes, the team captain and best player on the ice this day by a country mile.

When you're playing with him, you've got to expect the unexpected. Teammate Cole Caufield

“He created a 2-on-1 out of a 3-on-2 for them,” said Caufield, himself a projected first-rounder in what is an American-heavy 2019 draft class. “When you’re playing with him, you’ve got to expect the unexpected and you have to trust him. You kind of know he’s going to make the right play.”

Hughes’ U-18 coach at the USNTDP, John Wroblewski, recalled similar wizardry from his star centre earlier this season against Dartmouth College. That day the magic started with an opposing defender having a “clear-cut, 99% chance” at exiting the zone with the puck, before Hughes stripped him of the puck, found Caufield, and Darmouth yanked its net off the moorings to prevent a goal. “You watch it on tape and you’re just, ‘oh my god.’ That is, I think, his defining quality: When he’s on … when he’s buzzing, you’d better have eyes in the back of your head because he is going to hunt you right down and that puck is going the other way as soon as he gets on top of you.”

It’s all to say, the #LoseForHughes social media hashtag has wide circulation for a reason: Jack Hughes could be worth tanking for. As a frame of reference, consider that in early March he broke the NTDP’s season scoring record for a player in his under-17 season (87 points in 46 games), averaging 1.92 points through 51 games and surpassing point-per-game marks of Auston Matthews (1.13) and Patrick Kane (1.11), the last two Americans selected first overall in the same age category. As a 16-year-old, facing teams made up mostly of 18- to 20-year-olds, Hughes registered 116 points in 60 games, which is one point shy of the program record set by Maple Leafs superstar Matthews who was a year older than Hughes at the time.

While he might not be mentioned in the same breath as generational talents such as Connor McDavid or Matthews — only time will complete that story — Hughes is viewed as a genuine No. 1 pick, the type of franchise-player-in-the-making an NHL team builds around. Though he’s a centre, the 5-foot-10, 168-pound Hughes has regularly been compared to similar-in-stature Blackhawks superstar winger Kane (his childhood idol), with emphasis on his grade-A skating ability, high-end hockey IQ, puck skills and that previously mentioned knack for creating offence out of thin air.

Yes, it’s early days. There’s a pile of hockey to be played between now and June, including the world junior championship beginning Boxing Day, where draft positioning can shift greatly based on performance. (The hype train will surely roar off its tracks in Vancouver and Victoria, where Hughes and his older brother, Quinn, a Michigan Wolverines defenceman and NTDP graduate selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks last summer, are expected to don stars and stripes jerseys together.) Still, at this moment there is little to debate about whose name will be called first by a smiling NHL general manager eight months from now. As one Eastern Conference scout told The Toronto Sun: “If you look at first overall picks as a whole, he certainly fits that criteria. He’s certainly a dynamic talent. There’s a good group that could push him, but it’s Jack’s to lose right now.”

Hughes wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Any time you dream of something like that, you’re not dreaming to be the second or third pick overall,” said Hughes, who is chased only by Finnish forward Kaapo Kakko in the race for first overall. “You always want to be No. 1, the best. It’s really important to me.”

TORONTO, THE GOOD

There was little Jack Hughes, four years old, skating on a frozen baseball field in plain view from the classroom window in Mississauga. Inside the classroom, staring out at Jack and his dad Jim, was older brother Quinn, who might as well have been in jail.

The Hughes family home rang.

“Can you please not go out there? It’s really distracting. All he wants to do is watch you guys,” their mother, Ellen, recalls a school official pleading with her.

The Hughes family has always had an almost religious devotion to the frozen game, forever seeking out competition of the highest order. And the GTA – most notably the city-run outdoor rinks – holds a special place in their hearts. After all, it’s where the three Hughes boys — Quinn, now 19, Jack, now 17, and Luke, now 15 — grew their unbridled passion for the sport.

But when Jim took a job as an assistant with the American Hockey League’s Marlies and moved the family to Canada’s most populated city, this family that loved hockey gained a new level of access to the sport. When they weren’t playing for the city’s top youth hockey teams including the Mississauga Rebels and Toronto Marlboros, the boys spent every minute of their free time either on the outdoor rink at Wedgewood Park in Etobicoke, or touring around to watch Leafs, Marlies or Ontario Hockey League games. They were living and breathing hockey 24/7, in a hockey mad metropolis that encouraged that sort of behaviour.

“When we first moved to Canada, the first thing that was apparent to us was that hockey was in the culture, the society,” Jim Hughes said. “Everywhere you looked, kids were wearing jerseys to school. Just from a cultural standpoint … it’s on the radio, it’s on TV, it’s multiple games, it’s everywhere you look, hockey. It was just a fantastic place for the kids to grow up and and really grow their passion.”

It only intensified when Jim became head of player development with the Maple Leafs (after spending 11 years with the organization, he now works for renowned player agent Pat Brisson at CAA).

Jim recalled sneaking young Jack up to the ACC press box for a Leafs game shortly after being hired during the John Ferguson Jr. era. Healthy scratch Carlo Colaiacovo was sitting next to him, and broadcaster Dick Irvin was sitting next to Jack.

“I said to Jack, don’t move. Here’s your popcorn,” Jim said with a chuckle.

With tickets being sparse, expensive and usually both — even for Leafs staffers — Ellen would often drop her boys and some of their friends off at the gates, sending them on their way with standing-room ducats.

“It was sick,” Jack, a self-proclaimed die-hard Leafs fan, said of his time spent watching games from up near the rafters inside the ACC, noting he and his young friends would politely decline offers of beer from the boozehounds who dominate those quarters. “The atmosphere was unbelievable. If you go to any sporting event you’ll know that the die-hards are in the second section, standing-room only. It was pretty rowdy up there.”

Jack has met Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby – one of his childhood idols – on a few occasions, and this past summer skated alongside NHLers such as Jason Spezza, Taylor Hall and John Tavares.

For Jim there is no doubt that Toronto is where his boys fell in love with the sport.

HOCKEYTOWN, USA

If Toronto provided the memories, Michigan provided the springboard.

While Jack continues to hone his craft with the NTDP, older brother Quinn, a Canucks defence prospect, is starring with the Michigan Wolverines down the road in Ann Arbor, and 15-year-old Luke plays minor midget with the Detroit Little Caesars.

Luke, the youngest Hughes brother, appears positioned to follow in his brothers’ footsteps and join the top American junior-aged development program next season. If he were to find his way into the first round of the 2022 NHL draft, they would become the first three American brothers drafted in the first round.

Alex Turcotte, a fellow projected first-rounder and NTDP teammate, rooms with Jack and his parents in Plymouth, while San Jose Sharks first-round pick and Ottawa Senators property Josh Norris lives with Quinn in Ann Arbor. It’s a family affair at the rinks in Detroit, Plymouth and Ann Arbor, with the players often dropping in to watch their siblings’ games with mom and dad.

“It was kind of logical,” Jim said of the move across the border.

“It’s just another great hockey hub,” Ellen added, “It’s been a really great transition.”

‘HE’S A KILLER’

If there’s one thing instantly noticeable when watching Jack Hughes in a game – aside from his almost comically effortless skating stride – it’s his sense of urgency. He wants to be on the ice, he wants the puck, he wants to make a play, he wants to score and he wants it all five minutes ago.

It was no different this day at USA Hockey Arena. The puck was dropped to signal the start of the Sunday afternoon game against the visiting Fighting Saints and the first shift had passed, then the second and the third. Hughes, straddling one leg over the boards at his bench, clearly anxious as he awaited his first assignment. When he finally got the tap on the shoulder from coach Wroblewski, Hughes was not initially feeling it. A giveaway while attempting to carry the puck from behind his own net preceded a fruitless power play quarterbacked by the double-shifted Hughes, who, upon arrival back at the bench, kicked his skate against the boards – an early, if not rare sign of frustration by the player wearing No. 6.

“You might be able to shut him down for a period, but when he plays that way and sticks to it and just says, ‘I’m not going to get denied,’ there’s not a league that can stop him,” Wroblewski said.

“The game is more fun when you have the puck on your stick. I love to get on the ice, I’ll tell you that. It excites me. I just love to be out there competing and making plays out there. That’s kind of what puts a smile on my face,” said Hughes.

Scott Monaghan, the NTDP’s senior director of operations who has been with the program since its formation more than 20 years ago, can only recall being similarly impressed by two other players at first sight: Forward Phil Kessel (fifth overall, Boston, 2006) and defenceman Seth Jones (fourth overall, Nashville, 2013).

“He’s a killer. He wants to be in the game. He wants to score. He wants to win more than anything,” said Monaghan, who served as general manager for Team USA at the under-18 world championship in Russia last winter, where Hughes was named tournament MVP. “You watch him, he just flows. He glides and he can shift gears to faster and then you put the stick skills and the vision together with that.

“There he is, he’s back on the ice and you’re just following him for the whole shift until he goes back on the bench,” Monaghan added. “Even if he disappears somewhere for a minute, he pops right back up and he’s got the puck again. The puck gravitates to him. And he knows how to play in the big trees.”

Coach Wroblewski was equally blown away he first saw Hughes on the ice two years ago.

“It was tremendous to watch him with a group of kids that were two years older than him, how he could still just dominate the surface,” Wroblewski said. “He was still very small and slight back then. But he had this ability to navigate through traffic. How he could kind of freeze the opposition even though it’s guys that are two years older than him and much more mature in regards to their defensive habits. He could still freeze them up and open up his teammates.”

It all has scouts high on Hughes, the Florida-born, Toronto-raised, Michigan-based NHL superstar-in-waiting ahead of what appears to be a particularly strong draft class for American and Western Hockey League players. There were dozens of talent evaluators on hand for the recent Sunday game in Plymouth, including Detroit Red Wings general manager Ken Holland, whose team could be in the thick of the draft lottery proceedings by season’s end.

He's got great ability with the puck, just to kind of create offence from so many different ways; using his skill, using his speed, using his sense. Eastern Conference scout

“He’s got great ability with the puck, just to kind of create offence from so many different ways; using his skill, using his speed, using his sense,” said the Eastern Conference scout, noting Hughes tends to try to do a bit too much by himself at times, but that shouldn’t be viewed with concern for possible suitors.

NO PRESSURE

How has Hughes handled the pressure that comes with being the expected No. 1 overall pick?

By all accounts, with ease.

Hughes has managed to maintain an excellent pace thus far. He enters the month of December leading his team in points (nine goals and 43 points through 22 games played for an average of 1.95 PPG), while also thriving against college opponents, including a three-point game against the Michigan Wolverines which saw him face off against brother Quinn for the first time. Hughes recently led all players at the Five Nations tournament in the Czech Republic with six goals and 16 points in four games as the U.S. 2001-birth year group moved its undefeated streak on international ice to 18 games dating back to October 2017.

If he is feeling any heat, the forward isn’t letting on.

“There’s a lot of scouts and a lot of eyes on us every day, every game we have … and I think he has the most pressure on him obviously,” his teammate Caufield said. “He doesn’t let that affect him at all. He’s not too worried about anything like that right now. He just goes day by day and it’s really cool to see him not get too anxious about anything and just take every day as one at a time and go from there.”

Hughes said it has never been in his nature to be easily distracted by any outside forces — something he says he learned at an early age while starring in minor hockey in the “crazy hockey market” of Toronto. He also leans on his dad’s advice to “just keep your feet on the ground” and stay in the moment, and has benefited from seeing first-hand all that was involved when his brother went through the draft process last year.

Hockey is...so important in my life. Jack Hughes

“Of course it’s a big year. It’s kind of just one step closer to the ultimate dream, to play in the NHL,” Hughes said. “But for me, I’m kind of just taking it day by day and trying to enjoy it and trying to get better here at the NTDP. Honestly, I don’t really feel any pressure. I feel like I just want to do great and I know I’ll do great, so I just continue to come here and have fun.”

As to which teams might be in the hunt for Hughes, it’s safe to say it won’t be his beloved Maple Leafs, an organization that’s currently trending upwards. At the end of the day, Hughes will be content with an opportunity to take the next big step toward his dream.

“I know there’s a lot out there other than just hockey. Hockey is just a small thing in a big world,” he said. “But it’s so important in my life. I spend so much time thinking about it. I have such a love for it. Honestly, I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

BEST TEAM EVER?

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — While Jack Hughes will command the bulk of the attention in the months leading up to the 2019 NHL draft in June, his teammates won’t be overlooked.

To hear the NTDP’s senior director of operations describe it, this year’s under-18 team could be the program’s strongest ever, joining the conversation alongside the 1984 birth-year group that included Ryan Kesler, Patrick Eaves and Jimmy Howard, the 1987-birth year team that featured Phil Kessel and Jack Johnson, and the 1997 birth-year squad that included Auston Matthews and Jeremy Bracco.

“But I think we’ll know more after next year in terms of where they fit in the overall pantheon,” said Scott Monaghan, who has been with the U.S. program since its formation more than 20 years ago.

Being surrounded by so much high-end talent should only benefit Hughes, who is projected to go first overall.

“He is obviously a very special player, but we see a lot of special things from various individuals on this team,” under-18 head coach John Wroblewski said. “Jack is right there at the top, but these other guys aren’t far behind him. They’re neck and neck as far as I’m concerned.”

Added fellow projected first-round pick, defenceman Alex Vlasic: “Having a ton of focus on (Hughes), obviously, it will bring focus to the team in general, so we’re obviously thankful for that. It’s just a great experience to be playing with such a great player.”

Last year, six players with ties to the NTDP were selected in the first round.

SENSORY FRIENDLY HOCKEY

No pre-game warmup music, no video replay, no PA announcer. To say the atmosphere inside USA Hockey Arena during a recent Sunday matinee was subdued would be putting it mildly.

But that was the whole idea, as USA Hockey hosted its first Sensory Friendly Day in partnership with the Autism Alliance of Michigan late last month.

When the under-18 American squad lined up for the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, there was no music pumped in – just a lone young singer without a microphone. So the players started singing, or doing their best variation of that.

“I hear them (singing) on the bus all the time. They’d better stick to hockey,” said coach John Wroblewski with a laugh.

The arena lighting away from the ice surface was dimmed, two suites at centre ice were designated quiet rooms for children who might need them, and ear plugs and gluten-free options were available at the concession stands.

It was all geared towards making the game as comfortable as possible for children with special needs.

The Hughes family thrives on competition, so it should come as no surprise that an annual Peel Region school board cross-country race ranks among the most memorable events for the family during their time in the GTA.

“It’s something away from the hockey rink,” Jim Hughes said of the meet he and his wife would always make sure their hockey standout sons, Quinn, Jack and Luke, signed up for. “You go in the woods and you run in the mud, in the rain, and you come out of the woods and somebody’s (No. 1), somebody’s two, somebody’s three …

“It was a different challenge away from hockey rinks and it was just almost refreshing,” he added, noting the boys’ athleticism and fierce competitive nature would usually lead them to a podium finish.

QUICK HITS WITH JACK HUGHES

Favourite NHLer: Patrick Kane

Best Hughes: Quinny Favourite band/musician: “I’m a country guy, so Luke Bryan.”

Favourite food: Steak and rice

Favourite style of goal: Breakaway

Favourite NHL team: Maple Leafs

Most memorable hockey moment: Winning the under-17 world hockey challenge with Team USA

Favourite teammate: “Too many. All of them.”

Favourite non-hockey hobby: Golf

Not good at: Golf

Favourite place visited: “Bahamas. Family trip five or six years ago.”

Non-hockey talent: Wakesurfing

Night owl or early riser: “I can do both. I don’t need any sleep to function.”

[toasttt11]

brinley matthews

Brinley Amelia Matthews

Number: 11

Season: Seventh

Position: D

Height: 5”11

Hometown: Arizona

S/C: R

NHL: MTL

Prev Team: USNTDP

NHL

• Selected First overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2017 NHL Draft.

International

Team USA

•2017 World Championship- Gold, 8 G, 10 A, 7 GP

•2017 World Junior Championship- Gold, 9 G, 9 A, 7 GP

•2016 World Junior Championship-Gold, 6 G, 11 A, 7 GP

•2015 World U-18 Hockey Challenge- Gold Medal, 6 G, 10 A, 7 GP

•2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge- Gold Medal, 5 G, 11 A, 6 GP

Seventh Season (2023-2024)

Montreal Canadians

50 G, 102 A, 152 P, 80 GP

Captain.

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Received Hart Memorial Trophy.

Sixith Season (2022-2023)

Montreal Canadians

35 G, 91 A, 126 P, 68 GP

Captain.

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Received Ted Lindsay Award.

Fifth Season (2021-2022)

Montreal Canadians

30 G, 90 A, 120 P, 72 GP

Captain.

Received Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award.

Fourth Season (2020-2021)

Montreal Canadians

33 G, 99 A, 132 P, 87 GP

Alternative Captain.

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Received Hart Memorial Trophy.

Received Art Ross Trophy.

Third Season (2019-2020)

Montreal Canadians

15 G, 42 A, 57 P, 40 GP

Alternative Captain.

Received James Norris Memorial Trophy.

Signed a Contract for 72 Million dollars for Seven years and a 5 million dollar signing bonus.

Second Season (2018-2019)

Montreal Canadians

21 G, 80 A, 101 P, 79 GP

Alternative Captain.

Rookie Season (2017-2018)

Montreal Canadians

19 G, 80 A, 99 P, 84 GP

Received the Rookie of the Year award.

Signed a Contract for 9 Million dollars for two years and a 1 million dollar signing bonus.

Before the NHL

Played two seasons with the USNTDP.

Totaled 220 points (80-160--240) in 125 games with the USNTDP, the most assists ever in USNTDP history and the most points ever scored by a defensive player.

Scored points (40-80--120) in 63 games in 2015-2016, played with the U-17 and U-18 Teams.

Scored points (40-80--120) in 62 games with the U18 team in 2016-2017.

Personal

Born January 2, 1999

Daughter Brian and Ema Matthew

Has three siblings Alexandria, Auston, Breyana

[nordnews]

(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports) The Pittsburgh Penguins remembered Adam Johnson on Monday in the wake of Johnson's tragic death in England over the weekend. ...

[news247planet]

#Bruins #NHL #record #Sports Bruins Tie NHL Report With 62nd Win of Season https://news247planet.com/?p=266639

[rouzys]

THE UNOFFICIAL ST. LOUIS BLUES PRIMER PART TWO: DEFENSEMEN

COLTON PARAYKO (A)

Info: #55, RD, STL 2012

Last season: 4 goals + 27 pts

History: He's actually pretty interesting and I would recommend just reading through his wikipedia for a more in-depth read. He went undrafted in the WHL, then got dropped by his AJHL team and had to pay to tryout with another team to become their 7th defenseman. After being drafted, he played at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for 3 years, then came up to play with the Blues and took several online classes during his rookie season in 15-16 to complete his degree (Business Admininstration)(he is so boring sometimes).

Profile: FAST when he wants to be, plays a ton of minutes on the first defensive pairing but isn't very physical despite being tall as hell (6'6). He's definitely improved from last season and has already nearly doubled his scoring in half the time. Usually on the first or second PP units.

NICK LEDDY

Info: #4, LD, MIN 2009

Last season: 2 goals + 23 pts

Info: From Minnesota and drafted by the Wild, went to college at the University of Minnesota, and by the time he left he had his rights traded to Chicago. He played there and won the cup in both 2013 and 2015, then played for the Islanders for a number of years. Traded to Detroit, then in the beloathed Sundqvist + Walman trade and has played with the Blues since the 21-22 season. Currently midway through a 4 year extension

Profile: VERY good puck protection and stickhandling, though it's not flashy. Great 200-foot player, can and will take the puck from one end straight to the other. Refreshing on a team that sucks ass at zone entries. Making $4 mil a year to be a top pairing defenseman which is damn good if you ask me

Other: My mom kept mixing up him and Bortuzzo. Unfortunately this won't be a problem anymore.

JUSTIN FAULK (A) (Faulker, Flack)

Info: #72, RD, CAR 2010

Last season: 11 goals + 50 pts (career high pts!)

History: Played in the USNTDP, then played at the University of Minnesota Duluth where he won a national championship and set a school record for most points by a defenseman. Played for the Hurricanes from 2011 through the 18-19 season, including being a co-captain and an alternate captain of the team. Traded to Blues and immediately signed a big 7 year contract. 23-24 season is his first as a Blues alternate captain :)

Profile: Solid two-way defenseman, plays a lot of minutes. Good a frequent shooter, a great blueline shot presence which allows lots of tipped goals a rebounds.

Other: Was in the top 20 for longest streak of consecutive NHL games played (17th??), but recently missed 5 games due to injury :( also he's my Favorite

TOREY KRUG

Info: #47, LD, undrafted

Last season: 7 goals + 32 pts

History: A rare undrafted veteran! He played for Michigan State University for 3 years, then signed with the Bruins and made it on the roster full-time by the 13-14 season. He graduated from Michigan State after doing online courses for over 5 years (Political Science, originally Finance but couldn't get credits online). Played with the Bruins in the 2019 SCF against the Blues, and his hit on Robert Thomas actually caused a new rule to be added! Signed a 7 year contract with the Blues as a free agent in 2020

Profile: Underized (5'9) but will throw around both his body and his hands. Decent offense and solid defense.

SCOTT PERUNOVICH (Scotty)

Info: #48, RD, STL 2018

Last season: 2 goals + 20 pts (AHL)

History: I've been very impatiently waiting for this guy's real rookie year for like four years now. He played for Minnesota Duluth (where he took the defenseman scoring title formerly held by Faulk), won the NCAA Frozen Four Championship, and won NCHC rookie of the year. He's a bit undersized (5'10, 175lb) and this has had him battling injuries for the last several seasons. He played 19 games with the Blues in the 21-22 season (including the winter classic!) but spent the entire 22-23 season on the Springfield Thunderbirds recovering from injuries.

Profile: has yet to score an NHL goal but has been a great scorer both in college and in the AHL. Physical player, not much NHL experience with under 50 games under his belt and no concrete defensive partner. Still finding his groove on a team that has struggled defensively

Other: Won the Hobey Baker award in his Junior year of college! Was originally ranked to be drafted around the fourth round, but due to his collegiate performance and Blues scout Keith Tkachuk (!!) he ended up being drafted much earlier

MARCO SCANDELLA

Info: #6, LD, MIN 2008

Last season: 1 goal + 2 pts

History: played his first several years in Minnesota, then in Buffalo, and was traded to both Montreal and then St. Louis in the 19-20 season. Only played 20 games of the 22-23 season due to an early season hip injury and surgery, and then another lower body injury in April that took him out for the rest of the season. He'll be a UFA at the end of the season.

Profile: Pretty run-of-the-mill third pairing defenseman, sometimes a healthy scratch. Blues have struggled defensively and are trying to develop younger defensemen, so he's often the one to be sidelined for them.

Other: his instagram username is @ scandeezy6 which is fucking awesome

TYLER TUCKER (Tucks)

Info: #75, LD, STL 2018

History: Technically in his sophomore season! Played 28 games last year, had his first goal and his first TWO fights. Played for both the San Antonio Rampage (RIP) and the Utica Comets (temporary affiliate) before debuting in Nov 2022. Not on the Blues roster at the moment but has played a non-insignificant amount of games with them!

Profile: A strong defenseman who is very physical. Hasn't had much of an opportunity to prove himself at the NHL level, but has had good offensive seasons in the past. Currently taking a break from the press box for a conditioning stint in Springfield :)