Daily Best News

News From The Hockey Writers

March 22, 2021

The Editor's Choice stories from The Hockey Writers.

 03/22/2021 edition:

By The Old Prof on Mar 22, 2021 03:54 pm

In this edition of Toronto Maple Leafs’ News & Rumors, I’ll share thoughts about Auston Matthews’ lack of scoring recently. I’ll look at some player moves back and forth on the waiver wire and the team’s taxi squad.

I’ll also make a case that young defenseman Timothy Liljegren should get some game action with the big club and comment about Alex Galchenyuk’s first two games with the team. Finally, I’ll introduce and share a link to the Maple Leafs’ Lounge most recent YouTube podcast.

Item One: Should Fans Be Worried About Auston Matthews Injury?

When I watch Auston Matthews play on the ice, he seems on top of his game. He also seems to be playing well; but, is it possible his injury still hampers him more than we might know? Or, has his scoring has just come back to earth?

Matthews started the season with 18 goals in his first 18 games, but he only has scored three goals in his last 11 games. Over an 82-game regular season, three goals in 11 games is an average of more than 20 a season. Most players would think they’d had a good season if they scored over 20 goals. We’ve just come to expect more from the Maple Leafs’ superstar. (from “Matthews looks to re-gain scoring touch,” Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun, 21/03/21).

In fact, given his fast start and his improved conditioning on the season, how many of us thought he might actually be able to hit 50 goals in this shortened 56-game season? I did: I thought he at least had a chance.

Obviously, he’s been slowed by the wrist injury that kept him out of a number of games. He’s still tied for the NHL lead in goals scored with his buddy Connor McDavid (they worked out together in Arizona this offseason under the direction of Shane Doan) with 21 goals. And, given McDavid’s hot scoring lately, there’s a good chance that Matthews will no longer be tops on the leader board by the time the Maple Leafs play the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. The Oilers play the Canadiens in Montreal tonight.

Maple Leafs fans should hope that Matthews’ injury has time to heal more over the next few days.

Item Two: Maple Leafs Place Travis Boyd on Waivers

On Sunday, Travis Boyd was put on waivers by the Maple Leafs. Boyd had started well on the Maple Leafs fourth line and was even playing on the power play, but his scoring had tailed off recently. Still, I believe the move had less to do with the organization not wanting to keep Boyd around than it does offering the team flexibility.

I had to go back and rewrite this post. When I first wrote it, I wasn’t sure if any team might pick Boyd up, but I believed some NHL general managers would think about it. According to his line-mate Jason Spezza, Boyd is a strong player. Over the season, he has three goals and eight points in 20 games playing limited minutes.

I was right. As it turned out, Boyd did not clear waivers; instead, the Vancouver Canucks picked him up like they also picked up Jimmy Vesey last week. Good luck to Boyd with his new team. 

Item Three: Timothy Liljegren Rejoins the Maple Leafs’ Active Roster

Although I’m a Travis Dermott fan, I’d love to see Timothy Liljegren get a chance to play with Zach Bogosian on the team’s third-pairing. Perhaps he’ll have that chance, although player movements happen so quickly these days that it might just be a move on paper. On Sunday, Liljegren was promoted to the team’s active roster. But, how long will he stay there?

Liljegren has shuffled between levels several times this month but hasn’t yet made his season debut with the Maple Leafs. I think he’s ready – OK, I’m anxious – to see him in action with the big club. This season with the Marlies, his game and his confidence have both improved. He’s stronger at opening the passing and shooting lanes, and he’s good at moving the puck up ice. I’m anxious to see if he’s more confident and ready for the NHL.

Because Liljegren is playing well with the Marlies this season, I’d love to see the organization give him another chance to show what he can do. Granted he looked lost in 11 games with the Maple Leafs last season, but I hope things have improved.

Item Four: Alex Galchenyuk Moved Back to the Taxi Squad

Although I don’t think this is a permanent move, Alex Galchenyuk was reassigned to the taxi squad yesterday. I thought Galchenyuk looked good on Saturday against the Calgary Flames and scored his first point (an assist) in his first two Maple Leafs’ games.

I trust the experiment of putting Galchenyuk in the top six will last a few more games, and I look forward to seeing the 27-year-old forward once again on the second line in Thursday’s game against the Senators. I wonder if the fact that Ottawa dumped him might be extra motivating for Galchenyuk.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

One of the big questions facing the Maple Leafs is in goal. It seems as if Jack Campbell will be the starting goalie until at least Frederik Andersen is healed from his injury. Campbell is a perfect 4-0 on the season, but can he continue that stellar body of work as the designated starter.

In last night’s Maple Leafs’ Lounge, The Hockey Writers’ Maple Leafs writing crew members Kevin Armstrong, Peter Baracchini, Alex Hobson & Jim ‘The Old Prof’ Parsons talked about the Maple Leafs’ goalie situation, the Alex Galchecyuk effect, line combinations, and more. If you’re interested, I encourage you to check the podcast out above.

By Andrew Mulville on Mar 22, 2021 02:55 pm

Week 10 of the 2020-21 NHL season featured an abundance of high-scoring matchups. A total of five or more goals were scored in 37 of the 54 games played. Moreover, a single team scored five or more goals in a game 13 times. The Colorado Avalanche led the league in scoring, tallying 19 goals for and averaging 6.33 goals per game. On the other end of the spectrum, the Philadelphia Flyers gave up 22 goals against, more than any other team. Let’s take a look at this week’s top performers!

Forwards

Mika Zibanejad

Hats off to Mika Zibanejad this week, who tied for first with eight points. On Saturday, he scored an assist and the game-winning goal against the Washington Capitals. He scored all of his other points in a 9-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, with three goals and three assists.

Oh, and he scored all six points in the second frame, just the second player ever to do so in a single period. On top of that, he scored a natural hat trick, including a goal at even strength, on the power play, and shorthanded in just 10:10.

Zibanejad has had a subpar season by his standards. New York Rangers’ fans were surely excited to see him break out this week. He now has seven goals and 12 assists this season, with 10 points in his last five games. He will look to keep the momentum going against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.

Connor McDavid

The way Connor McDavid has played this season, he has almost become a permanent part of this column. Yes, he was at it again this week, tallying eight points in four games. He scored a goal and three assists in two games against the Calgary Flames. He also lit the lamp three times and recorded a helper against the Winnipeg Jets.

McDavid’s quest for 100 points this season is still well within reach. With 60 points in 34 games, he is currently on pace to score approximately 99 points. He leads the league in points, assists and is tied for the lead in goals. He will look to extend his scoring streak to 10 games as the Edmonton Oilers travel to Montreal on Monday.

Nathan MacKinnon

Earlier this month, Nathan Mackinnon missed three games due to an upper-body injury but bounced back really well, scoring nine points in six games since he returned. This week he played a major role in the Colorado Avalanche’s explosive offense.

On Tuesday, he recorded a goal and five shots on goal against the Anaheim Ducks. He followed that up with back-to-back three-point games against the Minnesota Wild. Overall he tallied one goal and five assists against the Wild, in addition to five shots on goal and a plus-6 rating.

Centered by MacKinnon, the Avalanche’s top line couldn’t be stopped this week. Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog also recorded seven points. In 25 games, MacKinnon has nine goals, 22 assists, and 104 shots on goal. His plus-16 rating is good for third in the league among forwards. The Avalanche travel to Arizona Monday and are currently in second place in the Honda West Division.

Honorable Mention: Artemi Panarin has impressed in his return to action. This week he notched three goals and three assists in four games.

Defensemen

Victor Hedman

Victor Hedman is making his case to be in the running for his second Norris Trophy. He scored six points this week, the sum of a goal and five assists. He also had a plus-8 rating and six shots on goal. His most productive game came against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday. He tallied three assists in the second period to help the Lightning to a 4-1 win.

His assist on Monday against the Dallas Stars marked his 500th career point. He recorded the assist while he was quarterbacking the power play, setting up Steven Stamkos for the one-timer.

Hedman leads the league’s defensemen with 32 points this season. He leads the Lightning in points, plus/minus rating at plus-15, and power-play points with 18. Hedman and the Lightning will travel to Dallas on Tuesday to play in what will be their fourth meeting with the Stars this season.

Tyson Barrie

Tyson Barrie is just two points behind Hedman this season, and they are tied in assists. This week Barrie tallied six assists in four games. He scored four assists on Wednesday against the Calgary Flames and two assists the following night against the Jets. He also had a plus-5 rating and 10 shots on goal.

So far this season, Barrie has become everything that the Oilers could have hoped for. Not only is he third in scoring on the Oilers, with 30 points, but he has also proven to be a capable defenseman on the power play in the absence of Oscar Klefbom. Although his one-year deal with the Oilers expires this offseason, he is giving them plenty of reasons to extend his contract.

Honorable Mention: Darnell Nurse, Barrie’s linemate, has been no slouch either. Nurse tallied two goals and three assists this week and is currently on a three-game point streak.

Goaltender

Thatcher Demko

Thatcher Demko has only lost one of nine starts this month and won all three of his starts this week. He gave up just six goals on 109 shots for a .945 save percentage (SV%) and 1.91 goals-against average (GAA). He gave up two goals in each contest. On Monday he made 44 saves en route to a 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators.

Demko has a record of 12-10-1 so far this season. He has posted a 2.66 GAA, a .921 save percentage, and one shutout. Furthermore, he has a goals saved above expected of 8.6, trailing only Andrei Vasilevskiy and Marc-Andre Fleury. Is it time to throw Demko’s name into the ring for Vezina Trophy consideration?

Honorable Mention: Philipp Grubauer gave up just one goal on 66 shots, giving him a .985 SV% and 0.38 GAA for the week. He also recorded a league-leading fifth shutout of the season.

Up Next

Week 11 is on deck! What to watch this week: Matthews and McDavid go head to head in Toronto, the Carolina Hurricanes and the Lightning battle for the Discover Central Division lead, the Avalanche look to overtake the Vegas Golden Knights in the West Division, and the New York Islanders pay Sidney Crosby a visit in a MassMutual East Division showdown.

By Julian Mongillo on Mar 22, 2021 01:56 pm

The pandemic-shortened season has been chugging along rather quickly, and after some rough patches early on in the season, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves in a dogfight for the number one seed in the Scotia North Division. With the team now halfway through the season, we will check in on which players are deserving of our midseason awards as selected by some of our Oilers contributors at The Hockey Writers.

Best Forward

Julian Mongillo: Leon Draisaitl

The easy answer to this question is probably Connor McDavid, but if you dive deeper into the numbers, Leon Draisaitl has been much more efficient. He has seen most of his time this season centering his own line without someone as good as Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on his wing like McDavid has. Despite having fewer points than McDavid, Draisaitl still sits second in league scoring through 30 games with a higher plus/minus rating and better shooting percentage than McDavid.

Jim Parsons: Connor McDavid

I tried to find reasons to pick someone else here because I knew that most, if not all, contributors would choose him. That said, it’s impossible not to choose McDavid. He was the first player to reach 50 points this season; the team goes as he goes, and he’s the heartbeat of the roster. When McDavid is going (which he usually is), the team gets a real pick-me-up, and they all play better, simply in an attempt to not embarrass themselves.

Luke Thomas: Connor McDavid

The captain hasn’t just been dominant at one end of the ice this season. He’s improved his two-way game by a wide margin while producing points at the best clip of his career. 

Best Defenseman

Julian Mongillo: Darnell Nurse

While there are a few options here, it is hard not to choose Darnell Nurse. The former seventh-overall pick is enjoying a stellar season at both ends of the ice. Although he is second in scoring by defensemen on his own team with 22 points, he sits fifth in the NHL on time on ice per game with a plus-16 rating. He is physical, can put up points, stand up for teammates, and has been leaned on heavily to fill in for the absence of Oscar Klefbom, making him an easy choice here.

Jim Parsons: Adam Larsson

Again, I figured most contributors would choose either Tyson Barrie or Nurse, so I went with a bit less obvious a choice in Adam Larsson. I think a case can be made that he’s been one of the club’s best defensemen. He offers an element to his game that no other blueliner does. He’s got a level of nastiness that is undervalued, and he’s as steady a force against opposing teams’ top players as the Oilers have. While Edmonton is being praised for their scoring from the blue line, Larsson is quietly one the most reliable options on the team.

Luke Thomas: Darnell Nurse

Nurse has been a force to be reckoned with, providing a steady defensive game on a nightly basis and keeping up his offensive game on top of that. He continues to be a workhorse, averaging over 25 minutes a night while playing on both special teams units. 

Team MVP

Julian Mongillo: Connor McDavid

I know it seems contradictory not to take McDavid as the team’s top forward; however, to select him as the team’s MVP has to be done. He is their heartbeat, and without his offensive dominance each game, the team’s flaws become more apparent. It’s not hard to argue that he is the Oilers’ prized possession and probably the 2020-21 Hart Trophy winner. 

Jim Parsons: Connor McDavid

For all the same reasons I said McDavid is the best forward on the team, I also think he’s their MVP. In fact, I don’t see how he doesn’t win the MVP award this season in the NHL.

Luke Thomas: Connor McDavid

Once again, it’s McDavid. He’s the leader for this team, and he is the person his teammates look to when they need a goal. He makes his teammates around him look better than they actually are. Without him, it’s hard to imagine where the Oilers would be. 

Biggest Surprise

Julian Mongillo: Jesse Puljujarvi

After bouncing between the Oilers and Finland over the last several years, Jesse Puljujarvi has been able to become a solid contributor for the Oilers. He may not stand out as the offensive dynamo he was hyped to be in his draft year, but he is using all his tools to be a solid player night in and night out. He has 13 points through 33 games this season and has proven he can be effective physically, turning pucks over and on the forecheck on any line he is on.

Jim Parsons: Mike Smith

Anyone who says now that they saw Mike Smith having this kind of season is likely lying. Most fans said re-signing him was a mistake. But (at the time of this writing), he’s 9-2 on the season, he’s got the fourth-best save percentage in the NHL, and he’s being touted as one of the loudest voices in the room. Smith has absolutely won the starting job in Edmonton this season, and he’s been one of the better goalies in the NHL. Who would have thought that?

Luke Thomas: Mike Smith

Despite that he’s 38, Smith is putting up the best numbers of his career. He’s definitely surprised people with his outstanding play after being out for the first month of the season. Jujhar Khaira also deserves consideration for this as he’s been a pleasant surprise since coming off the taxi squad, chipping in offensively and on the penalty kill, and providing some grit to the team when needed.  

Biggest Dissappointment

Julian Mongillo: Dominik Kahun

For someone who has played almost exclusively on the team’s second line alongside Draisaitl, the offensive numbers have not been there. After being brought over in the offseason on a one-year deal, Kahun has registered a mere nine points through his first 28 games as an Oiler. He had 31 points in 56 games played last season between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Buffalo Sabres but has not taken a step forward, which the Oilers were hoping for, especially with the opportunity to play in a top-six role.

Jim Parsons: Kyle Turris

The Oilers thought they solved their third-line center problems when they signed Kyle Turris on a two-year deal in the offseason. He has not played well, nor has he filled that role for the Oilers. It’s not just a disappointment that he has been unable to fill the role he was signed for, but he’s in for another year when the organization might have walked away after this season based on how things have gone thus far.

Luke Thomas: Kyle Turris

So far this season, Turris hasn’t lived up to Oilers’ expectations that he would provide a steady third-line presence. He hasn’t provided the offence he is capable of or been strong enough on defence. His play on the penalty kill has been atrocious, and because of that, he’s been put on waivers and sent to the taxi squad. 

Bold Prediction

Julian Mongillo: Oilers Acquire Top-Six Forward

The struggles of Kahun on the second line would likely be the reason the Oilers bolster their forward group. McDavid already has Nugent-Hopkins on his wing, and while Draisaitl does have Kailer Yamamoto, they need another player to shoulder the scoring load, especially when opposing teams plan to shut down Draisaitl and McDavid. With the team sniffing around for top seed in the Scotia North Division, acquiring another offensive asset would give the team much-needed scoring depth.

Jim Parsons: Oilers Trade A Right-Handed Defenseman

I think the Oilers will be buyers at the NHL trade deadline, but as general manager Ken Holland has said publicly, the team needs to be dollar-in, dollar-out on any deal. That could mean if the Oilers are trading for a player like Eric Staal, they’ll need to trade a decent asset, a pick, and a player. That player could be Caleb Jones, and the organization might try to get the Sabres to take on a player like Turris in the process. They’ll need to add a sweetener, but if Edmonton can do it, they’ll try.

Luke Thomas: Evan Bouchard Becomes a Second-Pairing Defenseman

We’ve seen glimpses of Bouchard’s potential but have not seen consistency in his game. He had a shot to prove himself when Ethan Bear was out but did not make the most of it. Whether it’s in a week or a month, “Bouch” has to make the most of his opportunity to stick in the lineup.

The Race Is On

The Oilers will need to continue to get strong play from their key players and hope that the surprise play from Mike Smith in goal can continue. If they can get more from the players who have underperformed this season, they could find themselves leading or even win the North Division by the end of the regular season.

By Scott Roche on Mar 22, 2021 09:57 am

As the NHL trade deadline of April 12 inches closer, the Boston Bruins have some needs that general manager Don Sweeney would like to address. One of those needs is adding a top-six forward to help with their lack of secondary scoring and to possibly provide center David Krejci with some stability with a right wing on the second line.

Last season at the trade deadline, Sweeney added right winger Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks and then got left wing, Nick Ritchie, also from the Ducks. Those two moves did not work out like the two deadline trades Sweeney made in 2019 that landed Charlie Coyle from the Minnesota Wild and Marcus Johansson from the New Jersey Devils. Both of those players played a big part in the Bruins’ playoff run to the Stanley Cup Final.

If the Bruins are going to survive the tough MassMutual East Division and finish in the top four to get a playoff berth, then adding a forward should be the top priority for Sweeney. Here are two players that Boston should look to target and upgrade their top-six forwards.

Rickard Rakell

After working out two deals with the Ducks in 2020, could Sweeney swing a third deal with Anaheim? If so, Rakell is someone who would fit the Bruins need to add secondary scoring and a top-six right wing. He scored 30-plus goals in two consecutive seasons with 33 in 2016-17 before he tallied his career-high in 2017-18 with 34 to go along with a career-high 35 assists. The following two seasons saw a drop in production with 18 goals in 2018-19 and 15 in the shortened 2019-20 season.

This season for the nine-win Ducks, who sit at the bottom of the Honda West Division, he has six goals and 15 assists in 32 games. Adding Rakell to the right side with a playmaker like Krejci would give him more of an opportunity to find the goal-scoring touch he had a couple of seasons ago and solidify the Bruins’ top-six forwards. Rakell has a good contract as he is in the fifth year of a six-year, $22.8 million deal that carries a $3.8 cap hit.

This could be an interesting deal for the Bruins to make. Anaheim’s reported asking price is a young NHL player and a first-round pick and the Bruins have what they are looking for. Jake DeBrusk is a young experienced NHL player with a similar cap hit that Rakell has at $3.67 million and is under contract for next year. Sweeney has not been afraid to move his first-round pick either. He sent the Bruins 2020 first-rounder to the Ducks last season in the Kase deal, along with David Backes and defensive prospect Axel Andersson.

Bobby Ryan

In the offseason, Ryan was an option in free agency for the Bruins, but they ended up passing on him and he signed a one-year, $1 million deal with the Detroit Red Wings. The 34-year-old right wing has six goals and seven assists in 29 games this season with 67 shots on net. If Boston acquires him, he would immediately lead their bottom-nine right wings in points.

Ryan was selected second overall in 2005 by the Ducks and the 14-year veteran, who has 18 career playoff goals, would slide next to Krejci on the second line. He is not the 30-goal scorer he was for the Ducks earlier in his career, but he is having a bounce-back season with the struggling Red Wings and would be a good addition to this Bruins team for a postseason run.

In November of 2019, he took a leave of absence from the Ottawa Senators to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program citing issues with alcohol. He returned to the Senators for eight games and scored four goals before the NHL paused its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus.

Bruins Have Options

Sweeney has tried to solve the secondary scoring woes they have had the two seasons without much success. Rakell and Ryan are two right wings that both would slide into the top-six. A move by Sweeney is almost necessary at this point with the Bruins lacking secondary scoring following their top two lines. Both of these players are what they could use and both have good contracts to take on, with Rakell under contract for next season and Ryan on an extremely cheap expiring contract.

By Mike Fink on Mar 21, 2021 05:55 pm

Every season, the NHL is hard to predict, and the 2020-21 season has been no exception. Many teams or players have overachieved, and likewise, we have seen some teams fail to live up to expectations. Fans and experts alike entered this season with preconceived theories or predictions for what the season would look like, and already, we have seen some of these theories disproven or wrong. Most, if not all, the teams in the league have already played more than half their regular-season games, and we are starting to see which teams or players are truly living up to the billing that the hockey world had for them and which ones are not.

The Sabres Are a Playoff Team

There was truly a strong belief that the Sabres built a playoff team in the offseason. Signing Taylor Hall and the expected continued growth of Jack Eichel was intended to give the team a great top line. And with a supposedly deep roster, the Sabres looked poised to make it back to the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season. Fast forward to now, and the team has not only looked like the worst team in the East Division but the NHL, costing head coach Ralph Krueger his job only halfway through the season. It’s safe to say that any belief in a playoff berth died around two weeks in or once the team returned from its absence at the beginning of February when they lost three games in a row.

Canadiens Are a Cup-Caliber Team

The Montreal Canadiens were one of the more active teams in the offseason, and it appeared that the front office built a roster that had depth and all the necessary tools to compete for the Stanley Cup. To start the season, it looked like the Canadiens were going to fulfill that promise and bring the historic franchise its 25th Stanley Cup championship and the first one since 1993. The team won 7 of its first 10 games and was displaying a deep offense, a defense led by a pair that had two Norris Trophy candidates in Jeff Petry and Joel Edmundson, and a goaltending duo in Carey Price and Jake Allen that finally took the pressure off Price and gave the roster depth.

Unfortunately, things started to unravel for the Canadiens, and the roster started to show problems as the season has progressed. Price hasn’t looked like his usual dominant self in goal, the back end of the defense started to struggle, and the rest of the North Division started to adapt to their roster. The Canadiens lost five games in a row to cost their head coach Claude Julien his job as they closed out the month of February. It’s safe to say the Stanley Cup beliefs started to fade around then. Moreover, with the team currently fighting for the final spot in the playoffs in the division, not many fans are convinced in the slightest that this team looks worthy of making a playoff run of any variety.

Blackhawks Are Rebuilding and Not Ready to Compete

It was easy to believe entering this season that the Blackhawks were in a rebuilding phase. That argument only became more valid with both Kirby Dach and Jonathan Toews out for a significant time, leaving the roster significantly less talented. The Blackhawks only barely made it to the playoffs the year before, and despite the upset against the Oilers to advance to the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, it was easy to believe that the team wasn’t ready to compete in a tough Central Division with a roster that appeared to worsen in the offseason.

By the end of February, the hockey world was in a state of shock as they saw a Blackhawks team that was not only still winning but looking competitive. The Blackhawks have been led this season by 32-year-old veteran Patrick Kane, who is having a Hart Trophy-caliber season with 30 assists, third-most in the NHL. In addition, young skaters like 24-year-old Pius Suter and 23-year-old Alex DeBrincat have stepped up and helped form a formidable top line. While currently in fourth place in the Central Division, with the Stars and Blue Jackets right behind them, it’s possible that the surprise team doesn’t make the playoffs, but they have certainly exceeded preseason expectations.

Panthers Are Going to Fall Off

The Florida Panthers were expected to improve upon last season, but few thought they’d look like one of the best teams in the Central Division and the NHL. Moreover, after the hot start, when they won 5 of their first 6 games, it was easy to assume the Panthers would have a drop-off at some point as they appeared to be overachieving with what seemed like an easy schedule.

By the beginning of March, it was clear that the strong start to the season was anything but a fluke. The Panthers have looked like one of the most complete teams in the NHL and look like a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. With six skaters scoring 10 goals or more on the season, and the defense playing great in all their shifts, it’s clear that head coach Joel Quenneville has a roster that is ready to compete this season and will be a tough team come playoff time.

Islanders Are Overrated

The Islanders took off in February, winning 8 of 12 games to catapult them to the top of the East Division. It was easy to declare the team overrated, as they played an easy schedule and were riding a hot streak. Moreover, it was hard to say whether the team was genuinely good or just peaking early. As the Islanders kept winning, building a nine-game winning streak at the end of the month of February and into this month, it became clear that the team wasn’t just overachieving but rather had all the pieces to win the competitive East Division. While the doubt is back again with Anders Lee being placed on long-term injured reserve with a torn ACL, the great defensive play and goaltending duo of Semyon Varlamov and Ilya Sorokin has impressed many hockey fans who believed the team was good but not as good as their record.

Bruins Defense Doesn’t Need Chara & Krug

The Bruins entered this offseason with the hope of continuing to look like one of the best teams in the NHL, as they have the previous three seasons, but by becoming a younger and more salary cap-friendly team. As a result, the Bruins let defensemen Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara leave in free agency with the hopes that the younger defensemen could step up this season. It was understandable to let both star defensemen go, as Krug signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract. And while Chara only signed a one-year, $795,000 contract with the Washington Capitals, at 44 years old, it was time to move forward.

Initially, the defense didn’t appear affected by the two losses from the offseason, with Charlie McAvoy emerging as their top defenseman and the young unit playing well for a Bruins team that was once again among the best teams in the NHL. Unfortunately, once the team started to slide in the East Division, losing 7 of 10 games earlier in the month of March, it was easy to see how missing star defensemen like Krug and Chara, who both are having excellent seasons in their new locations, would only add insult to injury. The back end of the defense has struggled, and the Bruins not only could use depth on the unit but impact players like the two they let leave in the offseason.

What Else Has Surprised Experts and Fans Alike?

One of the big surprises for anyone has to be the rise of the Minnesota Wild, who have looked like one of the best teams in the West Division with Kirill Kaprizov and a young core suddenly turning the roster into a potent one. Likewise, it’s surprising to see how the Tampa Bay Lightning, after winning the Stanley Cup, are not only the top team in the Central Division but are able to play as well as they are despite a shortened offseason. The 2020-21 NHL season is only reminding us once again how difficult the game is to predict and how easy it is for a team or player to surprise even the greatest hockey minds.

By Melissa Boyd on Mar 21, 2021 03:08 pm

In this week’s Montreal Canadiens news and rumors, Cole Caufield is being rewarded for his remarkable NCAA season at Wisconsin, Carey Price reaches an impressive career milestone, and the Habs are interested in Luke Glendening as the NHL Trade Deadline approaches.

Plus, general manager Marc Bergevin gives a mid-season assessment of his team, Kaiden Guhle suffers an injury, and prospect Jordan Harris is expected to decide on his future soon.

It’s Awards Season for Cole Caufield

Earlier this week, Caufield became the first unanimous winner of the Big Ten Player of the Year award after putting up 24 goals and 43 points in his sophomore year with the Badgers.

His stellar numbers also gave him the Big Ten scoring title as he outpaced the next closest skater by 10 goals and 10 points. He adds these honours to the Big Ten Freshman of the Year award he took home in 2020.

Caufield, Montreal’s first-round pick in 2019, and his teammate Dylan Holloway are also finalists for the prestigious Hobey Baker award given to NCAA’s top player.

Wisconsin advanced to the Big Ten Tournament final this week thanks to a comeback victory over Penn State after Caufield scored both the game-tying goal and the winner in overtime. He added another goal in a losing effort against Minnesota in the title game.

Despite coming up short, Wisconsin should get an at-large berth into the Frozen Four tournament which gets underway this coming weekend.

It is expected that Caufield will sign his entry-level contract with the Canadiens once his NCAA season concludes.   

Carey Price Makes History

Price became the first goaltender in Canadiens’ history to appear in 700 regular-season games, backstopping his team to a 4-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Monday. He’s also just the sixth netminder to play in 700 games with one franchise.

The 33-year-old sits tied for tenth in NHL history with 357 wins through his first 700 contests and ranks fourth with a career .917 save percentage over that same span.

After struggling mightily in February, Price has looked more like himself over the past few weeks since the arrival of Sean Burke, the Habs’ new director of goaltending.

 Habs Interested in Luke Glendening? 

According to Eric Engels of Sportsnet, the Canadiens are suitors for Luke Glendening, a pending unrestricted free agent centre who has three goals and nine points with the Detroit Red Wings this season in addition to winning 66 percent of his faceoffs.

The Habs’ interest in Glendening is not surprising considering the youth they have up the middle and their struggles in the faceoff circle. They could certainly use an insurance option like Glendening for their postseason push.

Engels indicates that Bergevin will have to move money in a potential trade with the Red Wings considering Montreal’s tight salary cap situation and mentions Arturri Lehkonen as a player Detroit would ask about.

Engels also addresses the Canadiens’ biggest need: a puck-moving defenseman. Not surprisingly, he brings up Mattias Ekholm as a fit for the Habs and outlines how Bergevin could go about clearing cap space to acquire the coveted defender because he certainly has the assets to strike a deal with the Nashville Predators.

 Bergevin’s Trade Deadline Plans  

Speaking of trades, Bergevin spoke to the media this week to give a mid-season assessment of his team and look ahead to the Trade Deadline.

He likes his team and the progress they have made under new interim head coach Dominique Ducharme. He was clear that the high expectations he set for the Canadiens this season have not wavered despite Montreal’s struggles of late.

However, he did caution that it may be a quiet deadline given his cap crunch.

“If the opportunity presents itself to go out and get something that I’m convinced will help the team, I’m going to look at it,” Bergevin said. “People have always wanted us to spend to the salary cap and we did it, but for the right reasons. It’s tougher and tougher to add to your team. You really have to be creative.”

During Saturday’s Headlines segment on Sportsnet, Elliotte Friedman indicated that some people aren’t exactly buying what Bergevin’s selling and that he might be ready to do something big. He does tend to try and keep expectations low and play his cards close to his chest this time of year only to pull off a move completely out of left field. Expected the unexpected as the GM likes to say.

Kaiden Guhle Suffers Injury

The Prince Albert Raiders announced this week that captain Kaiden Guhle will be out indefinitely because of a hand injury he sustained last Sunday.

Guhle, the Canadiens’ 2020 first-round pick, has appeared in two games for the Raiders, putting up two points and nine shots on goal. He was named the 44th captain in team history before the start of the WHL season.

Before suiting up for Prince Albert, Guhle made an impressive pro debut with the Laval Rocket in the AHL.

Jordan Harris Decision Coming Soon

Once again according to Eric Engels, defenseman Jordan Harris, the Canadiens’ third-round selection in 2018, is expected to decide about his playing future shortly since his NCAA team, Northeastern University, will not be participating in the Frozen Four.

If he does decide to sign his entry-level contract and immediately join the pro ranks, he will serve his mandatory 14-day quarantine in Montreal.   

This season with Northeastern, Harris scored 19 points in 19 games and was named a Hockey East Second Team All-Star. He would provide a big boost to the lineup, either in Montreal or Laval, especially with Ben Chiarot out long-term and the Habs’ need for a puck-moving defenseman.

With the Trade Deadline fast approaching, the Canadiens right in the thick of a playoff race, and two of their top prospects, Harris and Caufield, expected to sign their entry-level deals, it promises to be a fun few weeks for Montreal.

By Matthew Zator on Mar 21, 2021 02:25 pm

The Vancouver Canucks are back in the playoff race thanks mostly to the brilliant play of Thatcher Demko. He is firmly entrenched as the starting goaltender and does not look like he’s giving it up any time soon. He may have struggled out of the gate, but is now on an 8-1-0 run with a 1.74 goals-against average (GAA) and .950 save percentage (SV%) to go along with one shutout.

He is by far the hottest goaltender in the NHL right now and is looking more and more like the man they called Bubble Demko during the 2020 Playoffs when he posted a minuscule 0.64 GAA and almost perfect .985 SV% en route to a win away from the third round.

Demko is legitimately in the conversation for the Vezina Trophy, and he’s doing it behind a team that does not play the best defensively. The Canucks are virtually at the bottom of all the major defensive categories ranking 30th in shots against, 29th in slot shots against, 30th in rush chances against, and 31st in expected goals against.

Like his predecessor Jacob Markstrom, he’s constantly bombarded with high danger chances and is rarely ever given a break from the vulcanized rubber being launched towards him. The fact that he has a 2.66 GAA and .921 SV% is mind-boggling considering the amount of scoring chances he has to contend with every game. Not to mention he also has a sparkling 10.8 goals saved above average (GSAA) rating, which means he is saving almost 11 goals more than the average goaltender in the NHL.

Demko’s journey from college star to Vezina Trophy caliber goaltender has been fun to watch. Let’s take a look at what he’s accomplished so far as he continues to blaze a path to Roberto Luongo and the best goaltenders in franchise history.

Demko Time Began at Boston College

After two seasons split between the USHL and USDP, Demko committed himself to Boston College (BC) and its prestigious hockey program. Like Cory Schneider before him, he became a college icon, establishing himself as the clearcut number one and brick wall in goal. Over the course of his time with the team, he won multiple awards including being named a Hobey Baker finalist, Hockey East’s Player of the Year, and finally the Mike Richter Award for the best goaltender in the NCAA. He basically dominated the entire collegiate circuit during the 2015-16 season, finishing with a nearly flawless 1.88 GAA and .935 SV% along with a record-setting 10 shutouts that still stands as the most a goaltender has posted in a single season at BC.

Demko also was key in BC’s 2015 and 2016 Beanpot titles, posting a .947 SV% along with a shutout in the 2016 iteration when he backstopped his team to a 1-0 victory with 30 saves.

Demko only played three seasons at the NCAA level, deciding to turn pro before his senior year. He left BC firmly entrenched in the record books with a 2.08 GAA (2nd), 13 shutouts (tied for second with Scott Clemmensen), and 62 wins (seventh). The 2016 National Championship was the only thing he didn’t end up winning, walking away with two Beanpot titles as consolation prizes.

Demko’s Move to the Utica Comets & Surprising NHL Debut

After so much success at the college level with BC, Demko needed some time to adjust to the professional game at the AHL level with the Utica Comets. It didn’t take long though, as he finished his rookie season with a solid 22-17-5 record, a 2.68 GAA, and a .907 SV%. He also posted his first two pro shutouts.

Demko’s 2017-18 sophomore season saw him only get better, as he wrestled the starting role from Richard Bachman and began to display the sort of game that BC fans witnessed throughout his collegiate career. He put up insane numbers in the month of September en route to his first AHL Goaltender of the Month Award and ended up with his first taste of NHL action against the Columbus Blue Jackets only a few months later. His debut was an up and down affair as the Blue Jackets erased a 4-1 deficit in the span of only two minutes and 30 seconds, leading to his first overtime action in the NHL. The Canucks ended up winning it with a goal from Alex Edler, so he finished the game with his first win as well.

Despite allowing four goals in his surprising NHL debut, Demko took the game as a learning experience and endeavored to use it to improve himself over the course of the summer.

This is my first time seeing what it’s like up here. It’s a lot faster. Pucks are moving quicker and guys are making plays. I feel like one of the biggest things I’ll be working on is just making reads a little bit quicker and realizing where potential threats are. Just a tonne of stuff that I’m excited I was able (to see) and take into summer and really work on.

Even though his team collapsed at the end of the game, Demko didn’t look out of place in his NHL debut. He looked calm and in control for most of the game, and when the walls looked like they were collapsing around him, he still made the save when it counted to lead to Edler’s two-on-one goal in overtime. Darren Archibald, who was his teammate in Utica, knew what the Canucks were getting when they signed Demko to an NHL contract.

He’s mentally strong…He comes to win every day. He’s always a well-prepared goalie, very focussed. I’ve seen him make some crazy big saves the last couple of years. It’s nice to see him get an opportunity to play in the NHL.

Little did everyone know that a couple of seasons later, he would be a Vezina Trophy contender in only his first campaign as an NHL starter.

Demko’s Concussion Scare

Unfortunately before Demko could build upon his NHL debut, he suffered a concussion in training camp that sidelined him for two months. After four long months of preparation in hopes of usurping backup Anders Nilsson, he had to deal with the frustrating recovery of a brain injury that sometimes never goes away.

It was definitely frustrating. I worked four months in the summer to make sure I came into camp ready to go. At times, you can get a pretty negative mindset. You know, all the progress you’ve made over the summer has been wasted. I tried to stay as positive as I could. Couple times it was pretty scary, maybe having symptoms a couple days in a row, your mind starts to wander into worst case scenario.

Thatcher Demko on recovering from his first major concussion (from ‘Catching up with Thatcher Demko: On his ‘scary’ concussion, a new goalie coach and embracing failure’, AthleticNHL, 12/11/18)

Demko was right to be scared about the possibility of losing out on a promising NHL career due to a concussion. Micheal Ferland is still dealing with post-concussion symptoms and is inching closer and closer to retirement at the young age of 28, so it’s definitely something that happens. Adam Deadmarsh, who was forced to retire in 2003 is probably the most documented case, as he suffered two serious ones and is still suffering the effects of them to this day.

Fortunately for Demko, he recovered from it and returned to the Comets before taking his rightful place as the backup to Jacob Markstrom after Nilsson was traded to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline.

Demko Saved His Brilliance for the Playoffs

After a relatively average season as the full-time backup to Markstrom where Demko posted a 3.06 GAA and a .905 SV% in 25 starts, he absolutely broke out in the playoffs. It took an injury to their MVP, but it gave him a chance to show everyone in the league that he could be just as good as Markstrom, if not better.

Demko’s debut in the playoffs went a lot better than his debut in the regular season, as he stopped 42 shots en route to his first playoff win and kept the Canucks alive in their series against the Vegas Golden Knights. Then, when you thought he was at his best, he rose to another level with a brilliant 48-save shutout only a game later.

Similar to how he was in college, Demko rose to the occasion and became his team’s best player and proverbial brick wall in goal. The Golden Knights threw everything but the kitchen sink at him and he casually swatted it away with brilliant athleticism and absolutely perfect positioning. There were times where it looked like nothing was going to beat him, that’s how good he was during that series.

Unfortunately, the Canucks couldn’t give him any run support in Game 7 as he was almost perfect yet again, allowing only one goal on 34 shots. Except Robin Lehner was a save better, despite only facing 14 shots. Nevertheless, Demko almost did the unthinkable and dragged his team to the third round even though they never deserved it. Mark Stone’s reaction in the hand-shake line said it all, as he stoned him and many other Golden Knights multiple times throughout the series.

To put an exclamation point on Demko’s performance, Golden Knights’ head coach Pete DeBoer admitted that he was in their heads even during their series against the Dallas Stars. That’s how dominant he was in the series, he apparently stifled their offence sitting at home in Vancouver.

There’s no doubt that the last couple games of the Vancouver series against Demko probably rattled our confidence a little bit in that [scoring] area as a group. Honestly, up ’til that point, I thought we were creating a ton of offence. We were scoring a lot of goals. It was never an issue… There was really no signs of it up until the end of the Vancouver series.

Demko’s coming out party was without a doubt that playoff series against the Golden Knights. He basically showed the Canucks that he was ready to take the starting goaltender job from Markstrom as soon as the 2020-21 season.

Is the Vezina Trophy in Demko’s Near Future?

After Markstrom signed with the Calgary Flames and Braden Holtby replaced him on the Canucks, many people thought that management didn’t have full confidence in Demko. That may have been the case at the beginning, but coupled with Holtby’s mediocre performance (3.57 GAA, .894 SV%, minus-5.4 GSAA) and the return of Bubble Demko, there’s no doubt that he’s the de facto number one right now.

If Demko continues his run of dominant play where his positioning and athleticism are nearly flawless and he’s only allowing an average of two goals a game, the Vezina Trophy should be in his future. With how many shots and chances he has to face every game, the conversation should be squarely focused on him, especially if he keeps it up until the end of the season. If he can, the Canucks will also have a chance at making the playoffs and continuing the legacy of Demko Time that began at BC and the Beanpot only a few seasons ago.

By Shaun Filippelli on Mar 21, 2021 09:46 am

There’s no denying that Kevin Lankinen was a major factor in the Chicago Blackhawks’ surprising early-season success. Seemingly swooping in out of nowhere to take over their crease. Malcolm Subban’s resurgence has also been a welcomed bonus through this rebuild. Both deserve credit for their efforts, but their team’s tough stretch of late suggests now might be the time to change things up a bit.

It’s not a proclamation that Lankinen has lost his net or that he isn’t the Blackhawks’ goalie of the future. Nor is it to say that Subban hasn’t proven to be a capable backup. It’s more so to simply address the reality of what is happening, in that Chicago’s current equation isn’t working as it once was.

Following Chicago’s Failed Starts

Subban began the season alongside Collin Delia, as what appeared to be Chicago’s goaltending tandem for the 2020-21 campaign. All signs pointed to those two splitting starts this year, with Subban being extended in the offseason and Delia having patiently waited for such an opportunity since officially joining the club in 2017.

In their season-opener, Subban was bombarded with five goals against in a loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Delia then took things a step further and let in five of his own, two games in a row, on his way to a lackluster .863 save percentage (SV%).

Needless to say, it only made sense that the Blackhawks call upon their taxi squad for additional support at that point. Following Lankinen’s hot start, he’s justifiably seen the majority of ice time since mid-January. Although, he has shared the crease here and there.

Subban quickly found his way back into action on Jan. 26, earning a point in Chicago’s overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. He went on to win his next three in a row, which helped balance out his numbers. Yet, Delia hasn’t had such an opportunity granted to him, having last played for the Blackhawks on Jan. 17.

In fact, he was actually sent down to play with Chicago’s AHL affiliate Rockford IceHogs for a conditioning sting back in late February.

Chicago Calls Rockford

With Chicago running hot through February, working to improve their winning record of 10-6-4, it was clear that the tandem of Lankinen and Subban was getting the job done. All the while, Delia sat around with little opportunity to develop.

So, why not let him return to Rockford for some playing time? Delia was thrust into action almost immediately. Seemingly too soon, given the six goals allowed on 30 shots in his first game back on Feb. 27. With a chance to redeem himself a week later, he let in seven in less than half a game on March 3. Not great, clearly.

Fortunately for Delia, Rockford gave him another look a few nights later and he started to regain his form. On March 6, he made 35 saves on 37 shots, earning his first win of the season with either Chicago or Rockford. He was right back between the pipes on March 7 and turned that into a two-game streak, stopping 27 for the overtime victory.

Delia’s record with the IceHogs improved to 2-2-0, accumulating a goals-against average (GAA) of less than 2.50 and a.920 SV% through his past two games. He was then rewarded, being called back up to the Blackhawks on March 8.

Bad Stretch for Blackhawks

When things aren’t going well for a team, they typically look to shake things up. Well, there’s no better time than the present for the Blackhawks to do just that. They’ve now lost four straight and six of their past seven, as they head home after six games on the road.

“I think we needed a lot more points than we got,” Adam Boqvist said. “It was a long road trip. Overall, I think we played pretty decent, but against these teams, you’ve got to find a way to win every battle, forecheck hard and put the puck to the net. That’s how you’re going to win games. Obviously, it’s going to be good to go home now.”

Important to note that this lineup is still exceeding far beyond expectation thus far, as Chicago is right in the midst of a playoff berth battle during a season they explicitly stated was to be the start of a rebuild. They found cohesion quicker than anticipation, enjoying rookie performances that have made the league take notice.

It’s ok — expected, really — that this version of the Blackhawks is finding consistency in being streaky. We’ve seen them soar in a successful direction and we’re witnessing them struggle as they go through this current stretch.

Now, that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t do anything about it to try and change their fate. They found a way to make sense of relying on their taxi squad when things went wrong initially, so why not see if they can hitch another successful ride at this point in the season?

Battles Benefit the Blackhawks

Delia is due for another chance in Chicago’s net. He was sent to Rockford to refine his game and his progress there is a good indication that he has. Couple that with the fact that Lankinen and Subban could use an excuse to rejuvenate, with the spotlight tilted in a different direction for the time being.

Besides, whenever a team has their members battle for a spot in the lineup, all generally benefit as a result. The players involved work to be at their best, in hopes that they continue to see playing time, while the entire roster is the ultimate victor from enjoying top-notch performances the whole way through.

First things first, the Blackhawks need to find a way to encourage some positive momentum after watching 18 pucks end up in the back of their net during this ugly four-game skid. It can’t get much worse between the pipes, so why not see if Delia can help make things better? It won’t be the only shift necessary to improve Chicago’s fortunes, but it could be a start.

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