All posts by Matt Teague

Marleau hoping to capitalize on ‘great opportunity’ with Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patrick Marleau is itching for a chance to compete for the Stanley Cup with his new club.

"It's a great opportunity for myself to get another shot at winning the Cup with the Penguins," Marleau said during a Zoom call on Monday. "Everything has been great with the organization, they've helped every step of the way. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house, and get back to normal and get out there and start playing again."

The Penguins acquired Marleau at the February trade deadline, but the 40-year-old veteran appeared in just eight games with the team before the season was suspended March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Competing in his 22nd NHL campaign, Marleau ranks fifth all time in regular-season games played (1,723) and has suited up in an additional 191 playoff contests, but he's yet to capture a championship.

Despite his quest for the Cup, Marleau understands public safety remains the No. 1 priority and encouraged everyone to follow the appropriate protocol while self-isolating.

"Wash your hands for 20 seconds, don't touch your face when you go out. If you do have to go out to the grocery store do the essentials only and practice social distancing. I think the sooner we do all the right things, the sooner we'll be able to be in front of the fans and enjoy playing again and being with the fans."

Led by franchise talents Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, the Penguins have captured three Stanley Cups since 2009, including back-to-back titles in 2016 and '17, with the former coming against Marleau's old team, the San Jose Sharks.

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Humboldt Broncos tribute moved online

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A tribute for the victims of the 2017-18 Humboldt Broncos bus crash will be held online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The tribute will recognize the two-year anniversary of the accident that killed 16 people and injured 13 more. It will be held Monday at 2 p.m. ET on the city's website.

The city originally planned to create a temporary exhibit comprised of memorabilia received following the tragedy.

“In the midst of all the turmoil in the present world we want to make sure the lives lost and those that were changed forever two years ago are not forgotten,” Humboldt mayor Rob Muench said in a statement. “During this time of self-isolating and practicing physical distancing, it’s important to us that people still have a place to go to reflect and remember the tragedy and the outpouring of support that our community received on a global scale.”

Humboldt's St. Augustine Catholic Church will ring its bells at 4:50 p.m. on Monday in recognition of the approximate time that the accident occurred.

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McDavid launches workout series to help kids stay fit

Edmonton Oilers superstar Connor McDavid is challenging kids to stay fit while stuck inside.

McDavid and his trainer, former NHL forward Gary Roberts, are starting a workout video series on their social media channels this week.

The 15-minute workouts will feature exercises that are designed to be done at home without any equipment.

"It's about teaching kids how to do a workout when they just have their bodies," Roberts said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.

The idea came from McDavid's agent, Jeff Jackson, whose children asked him how they could stay active with schools closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"I had the idea that Gary and Connor could put together a really simple weekly exercise thing designed for kids," Jackson said. "Every mom and dad are going through what we're going through. Kids are playing video games, or they're driving their parents crazy. So maybe this is a half-hour of a kid's day. Take their iPad, do the exercises."

The NHL suspended the season March 12, and McDavid is bringing fans along with him as he does what he can to stay fit should the campaign resume.

"It's tough. We don't know what's going to happen to the season. But we're doing everything we can to stay ready," McDavid said.

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Senators temporarily reducing staff

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The Ottawa Senators announced temporary staff reductions due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic Thursday.

"Effective April 5, which would have marked the end of the Ottawa Senators NHL season, our full-time workforce will be reduced, and the hours of some of the staff will be furloughed," Capital Sports & Entertainment said in a statement Thursday.

The company created an unemployment plan that will supplement employee insurance benefits until July. Of those employees who are not temporarily laid off, some will be placed on furlough and some will have their salaries reduced. There will be no interruption in employees' access to health benefits.

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk previously pledged to pay the income for part-time and hourly arena staff of both the NHL club and the AHL's Belleville Senators through to the end of their respective seasons. On Thursday, Melnyk extended that commitment to pay these employees what they would have earned for all scheduled event shifts through the month of April.

"Our employees have continued to work with dedication during these difficult times," Melnyk said. "We want to thank them for their continued loyalty by providing support, as we all face extraordinary challenges. Although the sports and entertainment industry is being impacted severely, we will pull through by staying committed together."

The 2019-20 NHL season was officially suspended March 12 due to the spread of the virus. Several teams around the league have also agreed to pay employees who've been affected by the pandemic.

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Blackhawks sign Highmore, Lankinen to 2-year extensions

The Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Matthew Highmore and goaltender Kevin Lankinen to two-year extensions, the team announced Thursday.

Highmore's deal carries an average annual value of $725,000 while Lankinen's pact is worth $800,000 annually. Both are two-way contracts in the first year and transition to one-way deals in the second.

The team also signed forwards Evan Barratt and Andrei Altybarmakyan to three- and two-year, entry-level contracts, respectively. Chicago selected both players in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft.

Highmore, 24, appeared in 36 games for Chicago in 2019-20, contributing two goals and six points. He also netted four goals and 12 points through 21 games with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs.

Lankinen, 24, owned an 8-10-2 record with a 3.09 goals-against average and .909 save percentage with the IceHogs this season. He led Finland to a gold medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship, posting a 7-1-0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average and .942 save percentage.

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7 players who disappointed this season

With the 2019-20 NHL season on pause - if not over altogether - some players have been left hoping for a chance to redeem their underwhelming campaigns.

Here are seven players, including former Vezina Trophy netminders and perennial goal-scorers, who disappointed before the hiatus.

Sergei Bobrovsky, Florida Panthers

Michael Reaves / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Bobrovsky was supposed to take the offensively gifted Panthers to the next level after he signed a seven-year, $70-million pact last summer. Instead, it was the same old story for a franchise that was on track to miss the playoffs for the 17th time in the last 20 seasons.

During 2019-20, the Russian netminder conceded four or more goals in 19 of 50 starts and owned a save percentage south of .906 in four of five months. And, when comparing Bobrovsky's goals-against average (3.25) to his expected goals against per 60 (2.82), it's clear he simply didn't stop nearly as many pucks as he should have. Of the 49 goalies who made at least 25 starts this season, Bobrovsky ranked 45th in goals saved above average (-14.91).

Overall, watching your $70-million puck-stopper get significantly outplayed by a 25-year-old rookie in Chris Driedger - who's just one year removed from playing in the East Coast Hockey League - is about as far from ideal as it gets.

Phil Kessel, Arizona Coyotes

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The Coyotes enjoyed a 94% renewal of season tickets - their highest mark since moving to Glendale in 2003-04 - after Kessel was acquired. But so far, "Phil the thrill" hasn't lived up to his moniker.

Instead of providing the type of offensive star power that's been rare in Arizona, Kessel ranked sixth on the team in points this season and at best served the role of a second-line winger. Now stuck at 14 goals, Kessel is likely to fall short of 20 for the first time in 12 years. He also posted a team-worst minus-21 rating before the hiatus, which is even more jarring considering the second-lowest mark on the club was minus-9.

P.K. Subban, New Jersey Devils

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty

In Subban's defense, not much went right for a Devils team that had high aspirations for 2019-20. Following a dreadful 2-5-4 start, New Jersey was never close to being in the playoff picture, and the 2013 Norris Trophy winner's subpar play was one of many impediments the team faced.

The 30-year-old blue-liner has never fallen short of the 30-point mark, but with just 18 points through 68 contests this season, he was on track for a career-low 22. New Jersey also owned just 47.03% of high-danger scoring chances with Subban on the ice at five-on-five - the second-worst mark among Devils defensemen.

Sean Monahan, Calgary Flames

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Following a career-high 82-point season in 2018-19, Monahan saw a massive drop-off in his production this season. With 48 points through 70 games, the Flames' top pivot sat 35th in scoring among NHL centers.

Monahan's game suffered the most at even strength. The 25-year-old mustered a career-low 11 goals at five-on-five and his minus-16 rating ranked last on the team. Monahan's possession numbers took a hit as well, as the Flames owned only 48.03% of expected goals and 48.02% of high-danger scoring chances with the Ontario native on the ice at five-on-five, putting him on the wrong side of those metrics for the first time in three seasons.

Jeff Skinner, Buffalo Sabres

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Has anyone seen Jeff Skinner? The Sabres' 40-goal man from 2018-19 was a shell of himself this season after inking an eight-year, $72-million deal in June.

When the campaign was suspended, Buffalo's second-highest-paid player sat seventh on the club in scoring and had been a non-factor on the power play, failing to contribute even a single goal. Overall, Skinner was on pace for a career-low 27 points, which would have marked (shield your eyes, Sabres fans) the lowest-ever single-season point total for a player carrying an annual cap hit of at least $9 million.

In Skinner's defense, he saw two fewer minutes per contest under head coach Ralph Krueger and missed 10 games with an upper-body injury that may have had lingering effects. Furthermore, that Skinner scored all 14 of his goals at even strength isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Still, for the Sabres to make significant strides going forward, the 27-year-old must return to form.

Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars

Glenn James / National Hockey League / Getty

The Stars' big offseason splash didn't live up to expectations. A goal-starved Dallas team acquired Pavelski for an offensive boost, yet the 35-year-old ranked sixth on the club in goals (14) and seventh in points (31).

Pavelski's dip in production shouldn't have been a complete surprise, considering his 38-goal campaign in 2018-19 was bolstered by an unsustainably high shooting percentage (20.2%). However, the 5-foot-11 winger was on pace for fewer than 20 goals across a full regular season for the first time since his sophomore campaign in 2007-08.

Perhaps most alarming for the Stars, Pavelski ranked 40th in points per game out of 41 NHL forwards who made at least 25 appearances and carry an annual cap hit of $7 million or more.

Pekka Rinne, Nashville Predators

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Rinne is only two years removed from his Vezina Trophy season, but it appears Father Time is catching up to the Predators' 37-year-old puck-stopper. The towering Finn didn't look like himself in 2019-20, and he seemingly lost his starting role to youngster Juuse Saros as a result.

This season, Rinne's .895 save percentage was the worst of his career by far, and he allowed four or more goals in 14 of 36 games after conceding that amount just 10 times across 56 appearances in 2018-19. Additionally, after winning eight of his first 10 starts to begin the latest campaign, Rinne earned consecutive victories just once.

Advanced stats sources: Natural Stat Trick, Hockey-Reference

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KHL club withdraws from 2020-21 season, funding diverted to COVID-19 relief

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Admiral Vladivostok of the Kontinental Hockey League will not take part in the 2020-21 season due to the coronavirus pandemic, the team announced Tuesday, per Alliance of European Hockey Clubs managing director Szymon Szemberg.

The regional government of Primorsky Krai, where the city of Vladivostok is located, has pulled funding from its sports teams in an effort to help combat the COVID-19 virus. Admiral's main private sponsor "is also experiencing crisis" and likely couldn't make up the shortfall, the team's statement said, meaning the club wouldn't be able to meet the KHL's minimum-wage requirements.

Many KHL teams won't be able to survive without government funding, according to TSN's Rick Westhead, and Szemberg describes Admiral as the "first club in (a) European league to be (a) victim of the pandemic."

The KHL officially canceled its playoffs March 25 after initially postponing them until April 10.

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Report: NHL extends self-quarantine period until April 15

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The NHL has extended its self-quarantine period for players and staff until April 15, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.

On March 16, the league allowed players to fly home if they self-quarantined until March 27. That date was pushed until April 4 and has now been extended a third time.

The NHL suspended play of the 2019-20 season March 12 amid growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus. The prolonged mandate plus local isolation guidelines make it "almost impossible" for the league to reopen team facilities, adds TSN's Darren Dreger.

Four unnamed players - two on the Ottawa Senators and two on the Colorado Avalanche - have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus to date.

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NHLPA releases 2019-20 player poll

The NHLPA released its annual player poll on Tuesday, giving players a chance to provide their input on who among their peers is tops in several categories. The poll also includes what players think about different arenas, mascots, and jerseys.

Broken into three categories - on ice, off ice, and arenas/teams - we've compiled the results for the majority of the questions.

On Ice

Best forward: Connor McDavid

Harry How / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers 68.35%
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins 14.93%
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche 6.65%
Nikita Kucherov - Tampa Bay Lightning 2.88%

For the second consecutive year, McDavid earns the honor, running away with the vote. The 23-year-old has racked up an incredible 34 goals and 97 points in 64 games this season.

Best defenseman: Victor Hedman

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Player - Team % of vote
Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning 37.88%
John Carlson - Washington Capitals 21.35%
Roman Josi - Nashville Predators 9.04%
Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings 6.54%
Brent Burns - San Jose Sharks 6.54%

The 2017-18 Norris Trophy winner has been voted the top rearguard in back-to-back years. Washington Capitals defenseman John Carlson makes his first appearance on the list amid a career-best campaign.

Best goalie: Carey Price

Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Carey Price - Montreal Canadiens 41.55%
Andrei Vasilevskiy - Tampa Bay Lightning 17.09%
Marc-Andre Fleury - Vegas Golden Knights 8.93%
Sergei Bobrovsky - Florida Panthers 5.63%

It's hard to believe Price has been stifling his opponents for over a decade. The 32-year-old puck-stopper continues to be among the game's elite at his position entering the back end of his career.

Choose one player to win one game: Sidney Crosby

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins 44.03%
Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers 30.53%
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche 4.11%
Patrice Bergeron - Boston Bruins 3.33%

With three Stanley Cups, two Conn Smythe trophies, and two Olympic gold medals, is there a better answer here than No. 87?

Most complete player: Sidney Crosby

Player - Team % of vote
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins 45.56%
Patrice Bergeron - Boston Bruins 25.44%
Aleksander Barkov - Florida Panthers 7.50%
Ryan O'Reilly - St. Louis Blues 5.33%

Again, after winning nearly every individual award the NHL offers, it's hard to argue anyone other than Crosby is the game's top all-around talent.

Best trash-talker: Brad Marchand

Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins 25.87%
Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings 13.37%
Ryan Reaves - Vegas Golden Knights 11.05%
Patrick Maroon - Tampa Bay Lightning 3.78%

The game's most infamous talent has done it again. Marchand earned top honors in this department last season, and he's clearly continued to run his mouth while dominating opponents on the scoresheet.

Worst trash-talker: Brad Marchand

Player - Team % of vote
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins 10.59%
Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings 6.85%
P.K. Subban - New Jersey Devils 6.85%
Nick Cousins - Vegas Golden Knights 5.61%

You've got to be pressing the right buttons to be voted both best and worst trash-talker. Kudos to Marchand and Doughty for this hilarious achievement.

Best female player: Marie-Philip Poulin

Kevin Light / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player - Nation % of vote
Marie-Philip Poulin - Team Canada 39.92%
Hilary Knight - Team USA 36.29%
Kendall Coyne Schofield - Team USA 15.52%
Emily Matheson - Team USA 1.41%

Known for her ability to perform in the clutch, Poulin has helped Canada capture a pair of Olympic gold medals (2010, 2014), and she served as team captain at the 2018 Games.

Off ice

Funniest player: Keith Yandle

Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Keith Yandle - Florida Panthers 17.98%
Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings 6.94%
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins 5.68%
Phil Kessel - Arizona Coyotes 4.73%

Yandle has been voted the class clown for the second consecutive year. Please treat yourself to the 33-year-old's comedic chops:

Best bromance in the league: David Perron, Ryan O'Reilly

Brian Babineau / National Hockey League / Getty
Players - Team % of vote
David Perron & Ryan O'Reilly - St. Louis Blues 6.42%
Joe Thornton & Brent Burns - San Jose Sharks 5.05%
Auston Matthews & Mitch Marner - Toronto Maple Leafs 4.59%
Matthew Tkachuk & Drew Doughty - L.A. Kings & Calgary Flames 3.67%
Jamie Benn & Tyler Seguin - Dallas Stars 3.67%
Brad Marchand & Patrice Bergeron - Boston Bruins 3.67%

We can only imagine how much winning a Stanley Cup would strengthen the league's top bromance. Perron and O'Reilly take the cake, but it's clear players enjoyed themselves here, throwing a couple of rivals into the running.

Best social media follow: P.K. Subban

Andy Marlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Players - Team % of votes
P.K. Subban - New Jersey Devils 13.59%
Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals 6.31%
Brad Marchand - Boston Bruins 4.37%
Max Domi - Montreal Canadiens 4.37%

Subban has always been one of the best in the league at connecting with the fans. With 1.1 million followers on Twitter and 981,000 on Instagram, Subban is one of the most active players on social media.

Best nickname: Tomas "Tuna" Tatar

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Player - Team % of vote
Tomas "Tuna" Tatar - Montreal Canadiens 8.08%
David "Pasta" Pastrnak - Boston Bruins 7.31%
Artemi "Breadman" Panarin - New York Rangers 5.77%
Christian "Stinky" Fischer - Arizona Coyotes 2.69%

There's nothing fishy about the production from "Tuna" this season. Tatar is enjoying a career year in Montreal, leading the club with 61 points in 69 games.

Best golfer: Joe Pavelski

Jonathan Devich / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Player - Team % of vote
Joe Pavelski - Dallas Stars 15.84%
Tyler Bozak - St. Louis Blues 5.57%
Justin Schultz - Pittsburgh Penguins 4.11%
Mark Stone - Vegas Golden Knights 3.81%
Cal Clutterbuck - New York Islanders 3.81%
Greg McKegg - New York Rangers 3.81% 

There's never a bad time to hit the links in San Jose, and Pavelski has lived there for over a decade. Known as one of the top multi-sport athletes in the NHL, Pavelski showed off his golf game at the American Century Championship a few summers back.

Arenas/Teams

Best visitor's dressing room: Rogers Place, Edmonton Oilers

Arena - Team % of votes
Rogers Place - Edmonton Oilers 38.01%
T-Mobile Arena - Vegas Golden Knights 26.47%
Little Ceasars Arena - Detroit Red Wings 23.30%
PPG Paints Arena - Pittsburgh Penguins 6.79%

Best ice: Bell Centre, Montreal Canadiens

Minas Panagiotakis / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Arena - Team % of votes
Bell Centre - Montreal Canadiens 31.75%
Rogers Place - Edmonton Oilers 16.75%
Bell MTS Place - Winnipeg Jets 11.00%
T-Mobile Arena - Vegas Golden Knights 8.75%

It makes sense that three of the league's coldest cities would be able to preserve the best ice, but Vegas? The Golden Knights have done just about everything right since debuting during the 2017-18 season, which is further proven in the next category.

Best jersey: Chicago Blackhawks

Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Team - % of votes
Chicago Blackhawks 28.25%
Vegas Golden Knights 6.83%
Toronto Maple Leafs 6.83%
New York Rangers 6.38%

Three original six teams with the league's newest club in the mix? It's safe to say the Vegas Golden Knights' branding department is doing a spectacular job.

Best team mascot: Gritty

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Was there ever any doubt? The Flyers' mascot took an overwhelming 69.72% of the vote.

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Report: Leafs, Coyotes front-runners to land KHL forward Barabanov

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Arizona Coyotes are considered the favorites to sign Russian forward Alexander Barabanov, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.

Barabanov's agent, Dan Milstein, will begin interviewing interested NHL teams Tuesday, Dreger adds.

The 25-year-old winger has played seven seasons with the KHL's SKA Saint Petersburg and racked up 11 goals and 20 points through 43 games in 2019-20. He captured a pair of Gagarin Cups in 2015 and '17.

Internationally, Barabanov won a bronze medal for Russia at the 2014 world juniors and earned gold at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang.

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