Red Wings Detroit
Blackhawks Chicago
Sharks San Jose
Wild Minnesota
Predators Nashville
Stars Dallas
Golden Knights Vegas
Coyotes Arizona
Avalanche Colorado
Ducks Anaheim
Lightning Tampa Bay
Blue Jackets Columbus
Canucks Vancouver
Flyers Philadelphia
Bruins Boston
Kings Los Angeles
Blues St. Louis
Senators Ottawa
Jets Winnipeg
Sabres Buffalo
Capitals Washington
Maple Leafs Toronto
Flames Calgary
Islanders New York
Devils New Jersey
Rangers New York
Penguins Pittsburgh
Oilers Edmonton
Panthers Florida
Hurricanes Carolina
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Tomas Tatar Now A Member Of The New Jersey Devils
Newark, NJ - The New Jersey Devils today signed unrestricted free-agent forward Tomas Tatar to a two-year contract worth $9,000,000 with an average annual value of $4,500,000. The breakdown is as follows: 2021-22, $3,750,000 and 2022-23, $5,250,000. The announcement was made by New Jersey Devils Executive Vice President/General Manager Tom Fitzgerald.
Media Headlines
WHL Roundup: Steenberger scores OT winner as Broncos edge Raiders
SWIFT CURRENT, Sask. - Tyler Steenbergen scored 2:09 into overtime as the Swift Current Broncos edged the Prince Albert Raiders 3-2 on Sunday in Western Hockey League action. Jon Martin and Tyler Adams also scored for Swift Current (17-27-5).... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0John Scott voted MVP of Pacific’s All-Star Game win
NASHVILLE -- The smile that flashed across John Scott's face again and again throughout the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game was the perfect symbol of his adventure at Bridgestone Arena on Sunday. "I just see him as this little kid," Scott's wife, ... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0OHL Roundup: Hicks makes 47 saves, Bulldogs snap three-game skid
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Connor Hicks turned away 47-of-49 shots and Trent Fox had two goals and an assist as the Hamilton Bulldogs beat the Niagara IceDogs 5-2 on Sunday in Ontario Hockey League action. Niki Petti scored once and set up two mo... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0QMJHL Roundup: Foreurs cruising, beat Olympiques for seventh straight win
GATINEAU, Que. - Etienne Monpetit made 30 saves and Val-d'Or did all its damage with the power play as the league-leading Foreurs downed the Gatineau Olympiques 3-1 on Sunday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Julien Gauthier, Carl ... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Laing 'blown away' by support following injury
NASHVILLE--Denna Laing, in a message shown on the video screen during the 2016 Honda NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, said she has been "absolutely blown away by the support I've gotten from the hockey community." Laing, a member of the Boston Prid... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Enforcer John Scott scores 1st All-Star goal for Pacific
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - John Scott, the enforcer fans voted into the NHL All-Star Game, has scored the first goal for the Pacific Division during the 3-on-3 All-Star tournament. Scott scored on a tip-in just 47 seconds into the second mini-game Su... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0WHL Roundup: Braylon Shmyr has hat trick and assist to lead Blades past Pats
SASKATOON - Braylon Shmyr had a hat trick and an assist to lead the Saskatoon Blades past the Regina Pats 7-3 on Saturday night in Western Hockey League action. Wyatt Sloboshan, Nick Zajac, Connor Gay and Colton Waltz supplied the rest of the... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Peter Budaj perfect in Ontario Reign's 4-0 win over Manitoba Moose
ONTARIO, Calif. - Peter Budaj made 19 saves as the Ontario Reign shut out the Manitoba Moose 4-0 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. Michael Mersch scored twice — once into an empty net — to lead Ontario's (26-10-4) offence, while S... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0OHL Roundup: Nick Suzuki scores hat trick to lead Attack past 67's
OTTAWA - Nick Suzuki scored a hat trick as the Owen Sound Attack beat the Ottawa 67's 5-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Jonah Gadjovich added a goal and two assists with Bryson Cianfrone also chipping in for the Attack (21-17-9... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0QMJHL Roundup: McDonald, Coughler lead Islanders past Screaming Eagles
CHARLOTTETOWN - Mason McDonald stopped all 39 shots he faced and Jake Coughler scored a hat trick as the Charlottetown Islanders shut out the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles 3-0 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Samuel Bla... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0East dominates shootout, wins Skills Competition
NASHVILLE -- The Eastern Conference dominated the Western Conference in the Discover Shootout, the final event of the Honda All-Star Skills Competition at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. The Eastern Conference won the Skills Competition 29-12, w... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Holtby, East lose to West in Skills Challenge Relay
NASHVILLE -- Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby grew up watching a generation of NHL goaltenders who were phenomenal stick-handlers. The list includes: Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy and Marty Turco. "Those guys, that was part of the game... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Predators' Weber wins hardest shot contest again
NASHVILLE -- Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber won the AMP Energy NHL Hardest Shot for the second consecutive season with a shot of 108.1 mph. Weber fell short of the 108.5 mph shot he had in 2015 in Columbus, but his 108.1 mph shot was... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Chad Nehring's two goals lead Hartford Wolf Pack past St. John's IceCaps
HARTFORD, Conn. - Chad Nehring had back-to-back goals in the second period as the Hartford Wolf Pack topped the St. John's IceCaps 4-1 on Saturday in American Hockey League play. Ryan Graves and Nick Tarnasky also scored for Hartford (23-20-2... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Tobias Lindberg lifts Binghamton Senators over Toronto Marlies in overtime
TORONTO - Tobias Lindberg scored the overtime winner as the Binghamton Senators edged the Toronto Marlies 6-5 on Saturday in American Hockey League action. David Dziurzynski scored in regulation and added two assists for Binghamton (17-23-3),... Read Full Article on NHL.com
02016 NHL All-Star Game Rosters
NEW YORK, United States of America - The players named to the National Hockey League all-star weekend rosters for the league's new 3-on-3 tournament, Friday-Sunday in Nashville, Tenn. (i—injured, will not play; r—replacement; c—captain; x—John S... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Islanders' Tavares wins accuracy shooting contest
NASHVILLE -- No one was perfect in the Draft Kings Accuracy Shooting Contest at the 2016 Honda All-Star Skills Competition on Saturday, but New York Islanders captain John Tavares came closest to perfection to give the Eastern Conference a 3-2 win... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Subban channels Jagr to win breakaway challenge
NASHVILLE -- P.K. Subban of the Montreal Canadiens -- with an assist to Jaromir Jagr -- won the Honda Breakaway Challenge at Bridgestone Arena on Saturday. The winner was decided by fans voting on Twitter. Subban got 31 percent of the vote; nar... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Red Wings' Larkin sets fastest skater record
NASHVILLE -- Detroit Red Wings rookie forward Dylan Larkin is the fastest skater in the history of the NHL All-Star Skills competition. Larkin, 19, took advantage of the opportunity he earned Saturday night to best the record held by Mike Gartn... Read Full Article on NHL.com
0Bettman says NHL would not take an application from Seattle
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman insisted Seattle is not in the running to land an expansion team. "If someone wanted to give us an application right now, we wouldn't take it," Bettman said Saturday at his state-of-the-league ... Read Full Article on NHL.com
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Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Playoff Format For The AHL Next Season
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League Board of Governors has approved the qualification rules and format for the 2022 Calder Cup Playoffs. A total of 23 teams will qualify for postseason play when the 2021-22 regular season ends on April 24, with five rounds of playoffs leading to the crowning of a Calder Cup champion. “Our clubs and their National Hockey League partners recognize the importance of playoff races and postseason experience on overall player development,” said AHL President and Chief Executive Officer Scott Howson. “Expanding the Calder Cup Playoff field will allow some 150 additional players to play more meaningful games in pursuit of a championship.”
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Chase Pearson Signs A One-Year Contract
UPDATE: The #RedWings today re-signed center Chase Pearson to a one-year contract. pic.twitter.com/iata8K7ADx — Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) August 5, 2021 He will be an RFA after the season.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Detroit Numbers
from Dom Luszczyszyn of The Athletic, ... That’s what we’ll be looking at here as we measure how many wins a team added or subtracted from their roster to date based on their current lineup, while also paying attention to how much salary has been added or subtracted (though that figure will only take into account the players who were brought in or taken out, nothing else). As usual, value is determined using my model, Game Score Value Added. Here’s how much each team has changed this offseason, from highest value added to most value subtracted. 7. Detroit Red Wings Wins Added: 2.2 wins Salary Added: $5.8 million In: Alex Nedeljkovic, Pius Suter, Nick Leddy, Jordan Oesterle, Mitchell Stephens Out: Jonathan Bernier, Richard Panik, Dennis Cholowski, Luke Glendening, Darren Helm One massive addition is driving Detroit’s standing here and that’s potential goalie of the future Alex Nedeljkovic. He was lights out in 23 games last season and Carolina’s loss is Detroit’s gain between the pipes. There isn’t a lot of data to go off, but based on what he’s shown to date (and a heavy dose of regression) the model is a big fan of Nedeljkovic. He’s projected to be a pretty sizeable upgrade over Jonathan Bernier. The rest isn’t much, but they’re all upgrades to the team’s depth. Nick Leddy had a nice bounce-back last season and provides a boost to Detroit’s defence, while Pius Suter proved in his rookie season he can be a responsible middle-six center. In addition by subtraction news, losing Luke Glendening and Darren Helm also helps. more (paid) teams
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Report- Cap Will Increase $1M For 2022-23 NHL Season
from Frank Seravalli of the Daily Faceoff, The NHL is projecting a $1 million bump in the salary cap to $82.5 million next offseason ahead of the 2022-23 season, according to sources, which would mark the first rise in the league’s upper-limit since the COVID-19 significantly upended business operations, de-linked the cap from revenue and ballooned a billion-dollar debt load that players are working to pay back to owners. Until then, the NHL will play a third straight season starting in October with a frozen $81.5 million salary cap, though teams and free agents gained flexibility this summer via the additional money pumped into the system by the Seattle Kraken joining as the league’s 32nd franchise. A rise to $82.5 million in 2022-23 would likely trigger the start of a “lag formula,” as agreed upon in Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association in 2020, that could see the salary cap climb $1 million each offseason until the escrow balance owed to owners is paid off. continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
The Committed Vancouver Canucks
from Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet, For one summer and the hockey season that followed, Travis Green’s buzzword for his players was “adaptable.” The coronavirus forced change and adaptability on all of us. But after a miserable pandemic season for the Vancouver Canucks, who plummeted from within a game of the Stanley Cup playoffs’ final four to one game from the bottom four in the National Hockey League standings, the coach has new buzzwords. “Commitment,” Green said Tuesday night from his Southern California home. “And a little bit of redemption.” Green told Sportsnet he is excited about the Oliver Ekman-Larsson trade and other July upgrades that have made the Canucks deeper and better. But the key to getting back to the playoffs next season is the commitment from everyone in the organization to be better and, especially, for Vancouver’s key, young players to keep pushing for improvement. If everyone does that, Green said, they can also have redemption. continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
The Latest With Sinclair Broadcasting
from Michael King of The Streamable, Sinclair President and CEO Chris Ripley said during the company’s 2Q 2021 Earnings Call on Wednesday that the company remains committed to launching a direct-to-consumer Bally Sports App in the first half of 2022, but they have another streaming deal to worry about. Ripley said streaming rights for the NBA and NHL on the Bally RSNs were up for renewal in the coming months. These are to continue offering TV Everywhere access via the Bally Sports App. Despite this, he was confident of Sinclair’s position, pointing out that they are the only bidder in place for the digital rights for the two leagues. “You know we are the only buyer for those, you know, there is no one else they can be sold to,” Ripley said. “So, we have a relatively good position.” Ripley wouldn’t go into detail regarding specifics surrounding the negotiations, other than to say that negotiations were “productive.” “We’re having productive conversations and negotiations … at this point, the existence of a deadline, being the next season, we think will be a helpful forcing factor to finish those drive them to the finish line,” he said. “I would point back to my comments around what goes into the dynamics of a negotiation around market competition and comparables and you know it as it relates to the digital rights.” continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
What About Bobby Ryan?
Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press answered an email on Bobby Ryan re-signing with the Wings... Ryan, who turned 34, turned out to be a no-risk gamble that didn’t yield the hoped-for results, producing 14 points in 33 games. When it came time this offseason to assess whether any of his pending unrestricted free agent forwards should be re-signed, Yzerman went with Sam Gagner, a slightly younger (32 on Aug. 10) former high-end pick (sixth, 2007). Both he and Ryan shoot right. Gagner, originally acquired by Yzerman at the 2020 trade deadline, had seven goals and 15 points in 42 games. His 0.36 points-per-game clip was a smidge below Ryan’s 0.42, but Gagner had a minus-4 rating to Ryan’s minus-14, and Gagner can play both special teams, whereas Ryan was limited to the power play. With Ryan not being re-signed, the Wings don’t have any top-six forwards who shoot right. That’s not ideal, but the bottom line is, the Wings took a chance on Ryan, and the results unfortunately just weren’t there. more (paid)
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
The Re-Tooled Carolina Hurricanes
from Luke DeCock of the News & Observer, Now that the dust has settled on two cataclysmic weeks of player movement that turned over a full third of the Carolina Hurricanes’ roster, two conclusions have clearly emerged from the madness. The Hurricanes still think their core group of young players is good enough to win a Stanley Cup. They didn’t think the players around them were good enough to win a Stanley Cup. After three trips through the postseason that saw the Hurricanes win four playoff series before being ultimately derailed by what were unquestionably better teams, combined with the unfortunate but inevitable free-agent departure of Dougie Hamilton, it was time for some retooling. It’s the hockey equivalent of a 40,000 mile service. Change the oil, rotate the tires, give it new brake pads and rotors, flush the coolant and leave it parked out back. So while the long-term foundation of the team remains intact — starting with young stars Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, Jaccob Slavin, Brett Pesce and Martin Necas — almost all of the complementary pieces on the board have been shuffled. continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Video- Pius Suter’s Assists And Goals From The 2021 NHL Season
via awood40, Pius Suter's goals & assists from the shortened 2020-21 regular season (Chicago Blackhawks)
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Will You Be Entertained?
Some will complain about this, but it’s a good hire. We are all entertained when he speaks. TV is supposed to be about entertainment. https://t.co/3YlbDXx9lE — Josh Yohe (@JoshYohe_PGH) August 3, 2021
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Alex Nedeljkovic Break Down
It's more pictures and a video than words, so if interested... Latest Pro Reads features new Detroit Red Wings goalie @alexned_ breaking down an odd-man rush and a great explanation of why rotation into angle matters, even in desperate-looking save situations: https://t.co/nF1o4TpXLQ pic.twitter.com/MxTYw7dVVY — InGoal Magazine (@InGoalMedia) August 3, 2021
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
The Latest On The NHL And The Olympics
from Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, The NHL and the International Olympic Committee were unable to secure an expanded media rights deal for the 2022 Winter Olympics, but the league still intends to send its players to Beijing, sources told ESPN. In its new collective bargaining agreement, the NHL agreed to let players participate in the 2022 Beijing Games and 2026 Milan Games contingent on securing agreements with the IOC and IIHF. The 2021-22 regular-season schedule was released with an Olympic break from Feb. 7-22. Talks remain ongoing between the NHL, NHLPA, IIHF and IOC. While no final agreement is imminent, there has been positive momentum toward a resolution for several weeks. If and when that final deal is announced, it will not include expanded media and marketing rights for the NHL, which had been a goal for the past decade. The NHL was denied "Top Sponsor Status" for the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, which would have allowed its website and NHL Network to have content from the Games. It was one of the stated reasons why the league opted not to send its players to those Winter Olympics, among other financial considerations. continued
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Will The Chicago Blackhawks Be A Playoff Team This Season?
from Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, After a frenzied offseason of transforming the Blackhawks’ roster, the general manager appeared just as calm and stoic as usual Monday, discussing the many trades and signings as the action begins to subside. “What we’re hoping for is a competitive team that’s pushing for playoffs,” Bowman said. “That’s why we all do this. Certainly, some years it’s more likely than others...[and] this year, we’re looking to take a step forward. There’s a lot of reason for excitement and optimism.” Less than a year ago, Bowman spent a busy week waving the white flag on the team’s aimless 2017-to-2019 maneuverings and committing to a more cohesive, targeted rebuild. He insists that rebuild is still happening, still building, still the plan. But there’s no denying it drastically changed tone this summer, flipping from the cautious, prospect-oriented method coach Jeremy Colliton led last season to an aggressive, acquisition-oriented, all-hands-on-deck approach moving forward. Bowman admitted this summer’s spending spree — which has brought in Marc-Andre Fleury, Seth Jones, Caleb Jones, Jake McCabe, Tyler Johnson, Jujhar Khaira and counting — wasn’t exactly “mapped out back in October.” But the Hawks’ offloading then was apparently intended to “set up an environment” to make this possible now. “We’ve been trying to position ourselves to have flexibility to be nimble enough to make strategic additions at the right time,” he said. “But it doesn’t really change the path we’re on. We still want to...continue to see our young players grow. If anything, we’re trying to surround those players with stronger players, to give our team more confidence that we can grow as a group.” read on
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Hockey Notes On A Monday Morning
from Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, - The Zach Bogosian story hasn’t been told in full since he left the Leafs. He didn’t necessarily enjoy his only season in Toronto. The COVID-19 protocols made it difficult for his wife and children, who left Toronto halfway through the season. He didn’t want anything to do with another year in Canada. He left for Tampa where he said “they just get it.” - Hyman keeps talking about how much he loves Edmonton. I guess if you say it often enough, you will start believing it. What he will love, though, is playing with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s top two scorers. The arena is beautiful, the team is on the rise — the city, well, it’s Edmonton. - Don’t know what was worse: Montreal picking Mailloux in the first round or how they handled the choice or how owner Geoff Molson then called a news conference to explain the situation, but excluded all kinds of media in doing so. How amateurish was that? - Department of strange: The Carolina Hurricanes want to win the Stanley Cup and wanted Frederik Andersen in goal as their starter, not Petr Mrazek or Alex Nedeljkovic in goal. - he Leafs haven’t confirmed it, but there is no room for Joe Thornton on the payroll next season. And no place for him on the ice. a few more hockey notes...
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Talking Sebastian Cossa’s Chirping
via TSN, At the end of Sunday's Red-White Game, Canada's World Junior hopefuls took part in a shootout. Oil Kings sniper Dylan Guenther struck iron on his attempt to beat Edmonton teammate Sebastian Cossa. That led to some chirping from the 6-foot-7 goalie. "It’s good that he is confident, but it definitely gets on some nerves when he's chirping in practice," noted Guenther. "He chirps the other team, the other goalie and really has no mercy." Watch at TSN as his teammates discuss Cossa...
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Goaltender Needed For The Pittsburgh Penguins
from Tim Benz of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, So, no Fleury. Darcy Kuemper went to the Colorado Avalanche. Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta are both going to Carolina. Braden Holtby is on his way to Dallas. So, what does that mean for the Penguins in goal? After all, they can’t go back to Tristan Jarry as the top option in net with Casey DeSmith as the lone backup. Not after Jarry’s hideous playoff series against the New York Islanders. Can they? “(Jarry and DeSmith) did a good job for us last year,” Penguins general manager Ron Hextall said last week. “And we anticipate them both being back.” Oh. Well, then, maybe they can. During this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Madden suggested that was a poor idea. “I think they are going nowhere with Jarry and DeSmith as the goalies,” Madden said. “People are panicking about losing Jared McCann and Brandon Tanev. They are small potatoes. They are bottom-six guys. … That’s still a team that won the division last year. But unless they solve the goaltending, they aren’t going to win a playoff series. And let’s not forget they are in a tougher division this year. It won’t be as easy to make the playoffs, let alone win it.” more
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Video- The Current State Of The Detroit Red Wings
#NHLTonight checks in on the state of the #RedWings rebuild. pic.twitter.com/FA0CbNwPWq — NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 2, 2021
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Thoughts On Detroit’s Prospects At The World Junior Summer Showcase
from Max Bultman of The Athletic, The day after he saw his name called, Buium — a 6-foot-3 blueliner who split this past season between Shattuck St. Mary’s and Sioux City (USHL) — headlined a group of seven Red Wings prospects competing at the World Junior Summer Showcase up the road in Plymouth, Mich. The annual showcase serves as a great checkpoint for competing countries (this year, the U.S. hosted Sweden and Finland) to get a feel for their potential World Junior rosters. And this year, it also served as an immediate opportunity to get meaningful looks at three newly-drafted Detroit prospects, as well as an updated look at four members of the 2020 draft class. 10 thoughts on what I saw over the course of the week: - Buium will play next season at the University of Denver, so before the showcase started, I reached out to Pioneers coach David Carle to ask what stood out about the big blueliner’s game. “I think it’s his brain, his vision, his deception with the puck,” Carle said. “He breaks pucks out well, he transitions pucks (through) neutral ice well, and he’s really dynamic on the offensive blue line. He asserts himself in his transition and offensive game very well, and I think for that it makes him really hard to play against.” - Another prospect who made a strong impression throughout the week: Third-round pick Carter Mazur, who not only killed penalties (as one would expect from a prospect whose favorite player growing up was Darren Helm) but also played on the power play at various points for Team USA (the Americans had two teams, Blue and White, and Mazur spent most of the week with the Blue). “I liked him a lot,” U.S. coach Nate Leaman said at the end of the week. “Obviously relied a lot on him — we gave him a lot of penalty kill minutes to see how he was going to process that. He made some plays. Played him a little bit in the bumper of the power play. I think he’s definitely a guy in the mix.”... more on each of th above plus more names...
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Two Detroit Players Have Filed For Arbitration
#RedWings Adam Erne and Jakub Vrana among 17 players who filed for salary arbitration by today's deadline. Hearings will be from Aug. 11-26. Can continue to negotiate a deal until arbitrator reaches decision. Precludes them from receiving an offer sheet, which is rare anyway. — Ansar Khan (@AnsarKhanMLive) August 1, 2021
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Video- Every Point From Dylan Larkin During The 2021 NHL Season
via the YouTube page of awood40, Dylan Larkin highlights from the shortened 2020-21 regular season. All points included. Watch the 24 minute video below.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Recent Observations
from Larry Brooks of the New York Post, - Now the Maple Leafs are trying to convince folks that they are equipped to win the Cup with a Petr Mrazek-Jack Campbell tandem in nets? Or are they trying to convince themselves? - Free-agent day malpractice by Joe Sakic and his group in Colorado, which couldn’t or wouldn’t come up with the $5.91 million per that incumbent goaltender Philipp Grubauer received on six-year free agent agreement with Seattle, and consequently were forced to sacrifice highly regarded prospect Conor Timmins, a first-rounder and a conditional third to acquire Darcy Kuemper from Arizona to fill the vacancy in nets. - What, $22.5 million over five years wouldn’t have been enough to entice middle-sixer Brandon Saad to sign with St. Louis, so the Blues had to toss in a full no-trade clause to get the 28-year-old winger to sign on the dotted line? more topics...
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
There’s Always Next Season
from Dave Poulin at the Toronto Star, Falling almost a month later than the usual July 1 because of COVID-19 interruptions, it still had the same hollow feeling that it always has for me. People pack up anxiously, shouting “goodbye” and “have a good summer.” Some rush to catch flights, others just look to escape. Somehow I’m always the last to do so; it just takes me longer. Maybe that’s by choice. Maybe it’s just to enjoy what I’ve always loved doing a little bit more. I was often the last out of the locker room as a player, always as a coach. I’m not sure I even left the building on many nights as a manager. Now, in the world of media, I fully understand that I’ve been fortunate to have seasons to look forward to and reflect upon. This was different in so many ways, since it feels like the last two seasons have run together. The craziness of the pandemic ensured that. Perhaps it was fitting that the same team won the last two Stanley Cups. We can just blend the Tampa Bay Lightning’s successes together. Walking out of the studio Wednesday, thoughts of all the moves made filled my head. How it all might play out in the season ahead consumed me on the ride home. Also, things will be close to back on track for the next regular season. That in itself is comforting. We had joked during the day about relearning the divisions, and how teams would fare after the necessary geographic challenges of the past season had restructured everything. And as always, my own thoughts went to the teams I work most closely with, and how they would be affected. more
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
We Are Officially In The Dog Days Of August
I slept until 10am, that should tell you we are now in the slow period of the NHL season. News will be slow for the next month or so, but I am not complaining. I could use a nice break from a season like no other. I will continue to do what I do, post real news and avoid the click bait material. A few off days coming up but not yet. I am around, keeping an eye on things but don't expect much news. Everyone needs a break, from GMs to players, time to do just that.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Derek Stepan Joins The Carolina Hurricanes
RALEIGH, NC - Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that the team has signed forward Derek Stepan to a one-year, $1.35 million contract. "Derek is an experienced two-way center who can play in all situations," said Waddell. "We're thrilled to add another veteran to our lineup." Stepan, 31, tallied six points (1g, 5a) in 20 NHL games with Ottawa last season. The 5'11", 196-pound forward has posted 485 points (168g, 317a) in 759 career NHL games with the Rangers, Coyotes and Senators. Stepan has also skated in 106 career Stanley Cup Playoff games, registering 54 points (20g, 34a). He has represented the United States internationally at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship, winning gold, as well as the 2011 IIHF World Championship, the 2014 Winter Olympics and the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. The Hastings, Minn., native was drafted by the Rangers in the second round, 51st overall, of the 2008 NHL Draft.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Live Stream- Tyler Bertuzzi Media Conference
Scheduled to start at 2pm ET.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
A Two-Year Contract For Tyler Bertuzzi With Detroit
DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings today re-signed left wing Tyler Bertuzzi to a two-year contract. Bertuzzi, 26, was limited to nine games with the Red Wings in 2020-21 due to injury but logged seven points (5-2-7) and four penalty minutes. Bertuzzi was coming off a career season with the Red Wings in 2019-20, setting career highs in assists (27), points (48) and penalty minutes (40) while posting his second-straight 21-goal campaign, which led the team, and finishing as one of two players to skate in all 71 games (along with Dylan Larkin). The 6-foot-1, 199-pound winger has appeared in 208 games with the Red Wings since making his NHL debut during the 2016-17 campaign, totaling 126 points (54-72-126) and 119 penalty minutes. Originally a second round pick (58th overall) of the Red Wings in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, Bertuzzi was also Detroit's representative at the 2020 NHL All-Star Game.
Paul Kukla (Kukla's Korner)
Contenders, Hopefuls And Rebuilders
from Matt Porter of the Boston Globe, Where the league stands after the dust settled (tiers in alphabetical order): Contenders Boston — Lots of depth up front. Still not sure if they’re better, given Krejci loss. Carolina — Made up for the Alex Nedeljkovic loss by adding Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta. If they’re healthy, that’s a strong tandem. Replaced Dougie Hamilton with Tony DeAngelo, yet another reminder that hockey is a business, no matter how hard a team’s PR staff works. Colorado — Lost a Vezina finalist (Philipp Grubauer to Seattle) and may have gotten better in goal. Darcy Kuemper, ex- of Arizona, is an upgrade. Florida — A dangerous team. Still hasn’t signed Aleksander Barkov, but folks there are convinced it’ll get done. NY Islanders — I suppose they’re in this tier? Lou Lamoriello has done nothing publicly of late. Philadelphia — Cam Atkinson and Ryan Ellis were solid pickups, and maybe Keith Yandle has something left. None of it matters if Carter Hart (unsigned) doesn’t rebound. Pittsburgh — Love its chances in the Metropolitan Division if Ron Hextall can send a few assets to Chicago for Marc-Andre Fleury. Can’t waste another year of Sidney Crosby-Evgeni Malkin with subpar goaltending. more contenders plus hopefuls and rebuilders plus more hockey topics...
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