All posts by Matt Teague

McLellan says Kings finished with rebuild: ‘It’s time to turn the ship’

Los Angeles Kings head coach Todd McLellan has high expectations for this season and believes his club is ready to take the next step beyond its rebuild.

"The players that are coming back this year, they're long-term players for us," McLellan said Saturday, according to the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. "I heard (general manager) Rob Blake talk to each of the individuals saying, 'Listen, we are basically done with the initial phase of the rebuilding.'

"We've moved players around and out and brought different players in. It's time to turn the ship and let's start growing all of this."

The Kings missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season in 2019-20 but showed signs of improvement down the stretch, winning 10 of their final 13 contests. Los Angeles also boasted gaudy possession numbers, ranking fourth in both Corsi For (53.10%) and shot share (52.51%), and eighth in expected goals for percentage (51.95%) at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick.

McLellan hopes the influx of young, promising talent will help translates those numbers into more goals. The team added second overall pick Quinton Byfield to a pipeline of encouraging prospects that includes 2019 first-rounder Alex Turcotte, Finnish pivot Rasmus Kupari, and American sniper Arthur Kaliyev, among others.

The Kings bench boss believes Blake's commitment to taking the next step will serve as motivation for perennial pieces such as Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty.

“If I’m one of the five long-term veterans coming back, I got to be excited to hear that. I’ve got to be excited about seeing [Blake] bring guys like Maatta in and trading for Lias Andersson.

"That’s signaling that we’re trying to make our team better and trying to push now up the hill rather than just waiting, not necessarily to bottom out, that’s a bad term, but for the cleanse to finish. I think there’s more stability."

The NHL is targeting Jan. 13 for opening day and a 56-game schedule for the 2020-21 campaign.

Nothing has been made official, but the Kings will reportedly play in a realigned division featuring the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, St. Louis Blues, and Vegas Golden Knights.

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Canadian Gold: Remembering the 1990 World Junior Championship

In the lead-up to the 2021 World Junior Championship, we're taking a look back at each of the 18 Canadian teams to capture the gold medal, culminating Dec. 25 with the start of the latest edition of the tournament.

The 1990 world junior championship returned to Helsinki, where Canada captured gold the last time Finland hosted the event in 1985.

With only two returning players, the Canadian squad was a group of fresh faces looking to make their marks on the international stage.

The roster

Player Position Age
Dave Chyzowski F 18
Mike Needham F 19
Stu Barnes F 19
Dwayne Norris F 19
Wes Walz F 19
Eric Lindros F 16
Mike Ricci* F 18
Mike Craig F 18
Kent Manderville F 18
Scott Pellerin F 19
Steven Rice F 18
Kris Draper F 18
Patrice Brisebois D 18
Kevin Haller D 19
Dan Ratushny D 19
Jason Herter D 19
Stewart Malgunas D 19
Adrien Plavsic D 19
Stephane Fiset* G 19
Trevor Kidd G 17

*Denotes returning player
All ages are as of the start of the tournament

The tournament

Every world junior tournament before 1996 featured only a round robin, and it took Canada all seven games in Helsinki to finally clinch the gold medal on the final day of play.

The Canadians started strong, knocking off the U.S., Poland, Norway, and the Soviet Union while tying Finland. But after a tough 5-4 loss to Sweden in its penultimate contest, Canada no longer controlled its own fate and needed some help to claim top spot on the podium.

With one game remaining, the Canadians needed two things to happen to claim gold: They had to handle their own business against Jaromir Jagr and Czechoslovakia, and Sweden needed to tie or beat a juggernaut Soviet Union side headlined by Pavel Bure and Vyacheslav Kozlov.

In a thrilling final day of competition, Canada narrowly edged Czechoslovakia 2-1 while Sweden tied the Soviet Union 5-5. The Canadians and Soviets both finished with 5-1-1 records, but Canada won gold thanks to its earlier victory over the Soviet Union.

The stars

Chyzowski was easily Canada's top forward. The 6-foot-1 winger led the team in both goals (nine) and points (13) en route to a spot on the tournament All-Star team. Needham finished second among the Canadians with seven points, while a 16-year-old Lindros chipped in four goals.

Brisebois was the team's backbone on the blue line, playing tough minutes while also contributing four points. The third time proved to be the charm for the rearguard after some tough luck in previous years; despite being just the second player in Canadian world junior history to be invited to selection camp as a 16-year-old in 1988, Brisebois failed to make the team, and a knee injury sidelined him for the 1989 tournament.

Fiset was sensational in goal and was a major reason the Canadians managed to secure a close victory over Czechoslovakia. The native of Montreal was named the best goaltender of the tournament after finishing with a 5-1-1 record and a 2.57 goals-against average.

The key moment

Ironically, the key moment in Canada's gold-medal run came in a game the team wasn't even involved in. As mentioned above, the Canadians got the help they needed when Sweden tied the Soviet Union, but the fashion in which their fate was decided was as dramatic as it gets.

The Soviets led 5-3 in the third period against Sweden and appeared to be cruising toward their second straight gold medal. With Canada up 2-1 against Czechoslovakia, it got the miracle it needed.

The Tre Kronor potted two late goals, and Mats Sundin's tying marker - which technically served as Canada's golden goal - came with just one second left in the game. The Canadian players got word of Sweden's miraculous comeback and held on to secure a win over Czechoslovakia and the gold medal.

The fallout

The tournament returned to Canada the following year as the nation claimed its second consecutive gold medal and first on home soil. Seven players - Draper, Craig, Lindros, Manderville, Rice, Brisebois, and Kidd - returned to help the team repeat.

Though Chyzowski was selected second overall by the New York Islanders in 1989 and dominated at the world juniors, his NHL career didn't amount to much. He played just 126 games before finishing his playing days in Europe.

Still, more than a handful of players from this Canadian squad did ultimately carve out successful careers in the NHL, including Barnes, Brisebois, Draper, Ricci, Pellerin, and Lindros - who was eventually inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Report: NHL establishes tentative realignment plan

The NHL has mapped out a tentative realignment plan for the 2020-21 campaign as it attempts to ease travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 31 teams will be split into four geographical divisions, with one being composed of all seven Canadian clubs, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that travel will be a main issue for the league and an all-Canadian division is a likely scenario.

Here's a breakdown of the current plan, which hasn't been finalized and is still subject to change, LeBrun adds.

Division 1

Team
Calgary Flames
Edmonton Oilers
Montreal Canadiens
Ottawa Senators
Toronto Maple Leafs
Vancouver Canucks
Winnipeg Jets

Division 2

Team
Boston Bruins
Buffalo Sabres
New Jersey Devils
New York Islanders
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
Washington Capitals

Division 3

Team
Carolina Hurricanes
Chicago Blackhawks
Columbus Blue Jackets
Detroit Red Wings
Florida Panthers
Minnesota Wild
Nashville Predators
Tampa Bay Lightning

Division 4

Team
Anaheim Ducks
Arizona Coyotes
Colorado Avalanche
Dallas Stars
Los Angeles Kings
San Jose Sharks
St. Louis Blues
Vegas Golden Knights

The NHL has targeted a Jan. 13 start date, and both the league and players apparently prefer to play a 56-game schedule.

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Flyers ink Myers to 3-year, $7.65M deal

The Philadelphia Flyers re-signed defenseman Philippe Myers to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $2.55 million, the team announced Tuesday.

The 23-year-old will remain a restricted free agent when the deal expires.

"We're happy to have Phil signed for the next three years," general manager Chuck Fletcher said. "He is a big, mobile, right-shot defenseman who progressed into a top-four role on our blue line last season. We look forward to his continued growth."

Myers tallied four goals and 16 points while logging 17:06 of average ice time over 50 games for the Flyers last season. He added three goals and one assist through 16 playoff contests.

Philadelphia signed the undrafted 6-foot-5 rearguard to an entry-level deal in 2015 after he attended training camp on an amateur tryout.

The Flyers have $2.26 million in projected cap space with no outstanding restricted free agents, according to CapFriendly.

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Report: NHL, NHLPA drop financial talks in push for Jan. 13 start

It appears the NHL and NHLPA are putting their financial differences aside as they try to lock in a plan for the 2020-21 season.

There will be no further discussions regarding financial changes to the memorandum of understanding that outlines the terms of the collective bargaining agreement the sides reached before play returned in August, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.

The NHL's reported attempt at renegotiating the CBA ahead of the 2020-21 season sparked outrage among the players' association. Players originally agreed to defer 10% of their salaries with escrow capped at 20%, but the league asked them to defer 20% of their salaries and push escrow to 25%.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman refuted the reports and said the portrayal of the negotiations was "unfortunate" and "inaccurate."

On Sunday, the players' association proposed more deferred money but didn't include an increase in escrow, according to Dreger.

Both sides prefer to play a 56-game schedule in 2020-21 and are now aiming to start the season on Jan. 13, two days earlier than the previously known target date, Dreger added.

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Team USA replaces trio of players on preliminary world junior roster

Team USA announced multiple changes to its preliminary world junior roster on Sunday.

The roster remains at 29 players, but defensemen Tyler Kleven and Hunter Skinner, along with netminder Logan Stein, will replace forwards Robert Mastrosimone, blue-liner Alex Vlasic, and goaltender Drew Commesso, who have each been deemed "not available to participate."

Vlasic, Commesso, and Mastrosimone all play at Boston University. The school suspended all activities for the men's hockey team Thursday and canceled its season opener after someone associated with the program tested positive for COVID-19.

"It’s certainly heartbreaking for Robert, Alex, and Drew to not have the chance to make our team and we feel for them," general manager John Vanbiesbrouck said.

"But it’s great to have the depth we do and we’re pleased to welcome Tyler, Hunter, and Logan. We’re excited to get our camp underway and continue to work with our medical staff, the IIHF, and the government of Alberta to help provide the safest possible environment for everyone associated with our team."

Team USA started its week-long camp Sunday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The 2021 world juniors are slated to begin on Dec. 25 in Edmonton.

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Team USA replaces trio of players on preliminary world junior roster

Team USA announced multiple changes to its preliminary world junior roster on Sunday.

The roster remains at 29 players, but defensemen Tyler Kleven and Hunter Skinner, along with netminder Logan Stein, will replace forwards Robert Mastrosimone, blue-liner Alex Vlasic, and goaltender Drew Commesso, who have each been deemed "not available to participate."

Vlasic, Commesso, and Mastrosimone all play at Boston University. The school suspended all activities for the men's hockey team Thursday and canceled its season opener after someone associated with the program tested positive for COVID-19.

"It’s certainly heartbreaking for Robert, Alex, and Drew to not have the chance to make our team and we feel for them," general manager John Vanbiesbrouck said.

"But it’s great to have the depth we do and we’re pleased to welcome Tyler, Hunter, and Logan. We’re excited to get our camp underway and continue to work with our medical staff, the IIHF, and the government of Alberta to help provide the safest possible environment for everyone associated with our team."

Team USA started its week-long camp Sunday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The 2021 world juniors are slated to begin on Dec. 25 in Edmonton.

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Cooper: Attention you get with Stanley Cup ‘like walking in with Mick Jagger’

Jon Cooper is living his best life as a Stanley Cup champion.

The Tampa Bay Lightning head coach likened his experience with the prestigious trophy to walking around with a famous rockstar.

"Honestly, I can't explain the feeling," Cooper said earlier this week on the "Two-Man Advantage" podcast.

"People say, 'Well, what's it like?' I was like, 'You know what? Nobody really wants to see Jon Cooper or really cares, but as soon as you're with the Stanley Cup, it's like walking in with Mick Jagger.' It is such a remarkable trophy."

The 53-year-old coached the Lightning to the franchise's second Stanley Cup victory in September. The club spent over two months in the NHL's playoff bubble before knocking off the Dallas Stars in six games.

Cooper says he never gets tired of looking at what he and his club accomplished, as the trophy has remained in Tampa throughout most of the pandemic.

"At times I've had it in my house where it was just me or maybe my son, or my wife and it's the girls. You just look at it with that sense of accomplishment, but understanding it just exudes history," Cooper said.

"And you look at it and look at the names on it and the people that have won it and you know the sweat and tears and everything that went into winning it, and to think 100 years before that's happened."

Despite spending their offseason navigating an extremely tight salary cap, the Lightning have the majority of their core intact next season and are in a strong position to make another title run.

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Bettman: NHL ‘not trying to renegotiate’ CBA

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is refuting reports that the league is looking to renegotiate the recently established CBA with the players' association as the sides work toward a plan for the 2020-21 campaign.

"We've been absolutely unequivocal with the players that we're not trying to renegotiate," Bettman said Wednesday, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

Instead, the league is looking for ways to avoid "stresses on the system," Bettman adds, as players would be paid more than 50% of revenue under the deal that was established before the NHL's restart in August.

"Under our deal, and the one we've had for more than a decade with the players' association, whatever the revenues are the players only get 50%," Bettman said, according to Johnston. "And if we overpay them and they don't pay us back in the short term, they have to pay us back over time.

"There will be stresses on the system and we've had discussions about what those stresses are and how they might be dealt with, but we're not trying to say 'you must do X,Y, and Z.' We're trying to look for ways to continue to work together."

Before the league's August return, the sides agreed to 10% salary deferrals for the 2020-21 campaign and to cap escrow at 20% before lowering it each campaign until 2022-23.

Players have reportedly grown frustrated after the league offered two unfavorable financial proposals in an attempt to renegotiate. The first reportedly asked players to defer 20% of their salaries while escrow increases to 25%. The second asked them to defer 26% for next season, but escrow is left alone until Years 4-6 of the current collective bargaining agreement.

"I know it's been portrayed as something else and it's unfortunate and it's inaccurate, because at the end of the day, if the system gets stressed, it's going to be stressed for us both," Bettman continued.

He also noted the league's target start date of Jan. 1 for the 2020-21 campaign is a "work in progress, influenced largely by medical experts," according to TSN's Frank Seravalli.

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Dubas regrets undervaluing power of leadership: ‘Shame on me for that’

Kyle Dubas has gained some perspective through defeat.

Following another roller-coaster season for the Toronto Maple Leafs, their general manager says he underestimated the importance of veteran leadership.

"Why, after the first time, I just didn't realize it and learn it then and then apply it every time moving forward, that's just a mistake on my end," Dubas said, according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "Shame on me for that."

Though the Leafs have made the postseason in four straight campaigns, the team has yet to make it beyond the first round. A disappointing five-game series loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2019-20 forced Dubas to rethink his previous position on the importance of leadership.

The 35-year-old executive addressed the Leafs' need for more veteran voices during the offseason. Dubas re-signed Jason Spezza, brought in future Hall of Famer Joe Thornton, and inked Wayne Simmonds and TJ Brodie to add more experience and determination to the club's Stanley Cup pursuit.

"Those guys have a real increased sense of urgency to them," Dubas said. "Either time is running out on their career and they want to win - in the case of Spezza, Thornton, and Simmonds - or they've faced great disappointment in the past, like TJ Brodie and all the guys on our roster."

However, Dubas did take the time to credit some of the pre-existing in-house leadership. He praised defenseman Morgan Rielly for doing "one of the most selfless things that I've seen" when Rielly volunteered to give his spot on the top power-play unit to Tyson Barrie to help the struggling rearguard find his confidence.

The GM said over the weekend that he's relying on Rielly and the rest of the club's budding core to continue growing in order for the Leafs to reach their maximum potential.

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