All posts by Michael Bradburn

Senators sign Brannstrom to 1-year, $2M extension

The Ottawa Senators re-signed defenseman Erik Brannstrom to a one-year, $2-million extension, the team announced Saturday.

Brannstrom, 23, was slated to become a restricted free agent after being tendered a $945,000 qualifying offer from the Sens on Friday.

The former first-round pick scored two goals and added 16 assists last year while averaging 16 minutes of ice time over 74 games. He primarily played on the third pairing.

Brannstrom has four goals and 45 assists in 190 career contests.

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Darryl Sutter returns to Flames with ‘unfinished business’

Darryl Sutter will officially begin his second stint as head coach of the Calgary Flames early next week and the veteran wants this tenure to be different from last.

"For me, it's unfinished business," Sutter said during media availability on Friday, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.

Following a 7-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday night, Geoff Ward was fired as head coach. Sutter, 62, was immediately named successor.

While it's Sutter's job, the bench boss will have to go through protocol and will not be eligible to coach until practice on Tuesday, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. Assistant coach Ryan Huska will run the bench this weekend against the Edmonton Oilers and Senators.

Sutter originally became head coach of the Flames in the midst of the 2002-03 campaign. The next year, while also acting as the team's general manager, he helped lead the club to a Stanley Cup Final, which they lost in seven games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

After the lockout the following season, Sutter's Flames won the Northwest Division with a 46-25-11 record but ultimately lost in the opening round of the playoffs. Sutter stepped down as head coach at the end of the campaign, citing difficulties handling both roles.

From 2002-06, Sutter managed the Flames to a 107-73 record with 15 ties and 15 overtime losses. Since then, Sutter head coached the Los Angeles Kings from 2011-17, winning two Stanley Cups and boasting a 225-147-53 record.

The Flames are currently fifth in the North Division with an 11-11-2 record and minus-7 goal differential.

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Trump seeking major sports leaders’ advice on ending lockdown

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.

U.S. President Donald Trump is soliciting advice on ending the lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic from commissioners and team owners in major North American sports leagues.

"We look forward to speaking with many industry leaders, seeking their input on how we can return to what was until very recently the greatest economy anywhere in the world," Trump said during a press conference Tuesday evening.

Trump named NBA commissioner Adam Silver, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman among those he's consulting, along with New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.

Trump also named UFC president Dana White, WWE CEO Vince McMahon, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, LPGA commissioner Michael Whan, USTA chairman Patrick Galbraith, MLS commissioner Don Garber, and NASCAR CEO Lesa Kennedy during a Tuesday press conference.

Each of the aforementioned bodies has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, with the NBA and NHL halting play midseason and MLB suspending operations during spring training.

The NFL has implemented changes for its offseason operations, but Trump reportedly told sports commissioners last week that the football season should get underway as scheduled. California Gov. Gavin Newsom stated shortly after that report surfaced that he doesn't expect the NFL season to begin on time with fans in attendance for games in his state, according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.

Trump also listed a score of presidents and CEOs from the tech, defense, and agricultural sectors, among others.

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Stars to pick opponent for 2020 Winter Classic at Cotton Bowl

The Dallas Stars will host the 2020 Winter Classic at the Cotton Bowl, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday, according to John Shannon of Sportsnet.

The opponent has yet to be decided, but the Stars will have the chance to pick their adversary, according to Sean Shapiro of The Athletic.

Until the end of 2009, Cotton Bowl Stadium was the host venue for the annual college football playoff game, the Cotton Bowl Classic. However, in 2010, the bowl game was moved to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, which doubles as the full-time home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2020 event, to be held on Jan. 1, will be the southernmost in the league's history. Of the previous 11 Winter Classics dating back to 2008, the 2017 edition held at Busch Stadium was previously the most southern. Other outdoor games have also been played in warm weather venues such as Los Angeles and Santa Clara, Calif.

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Maple Leafs’ Ennis suffers broken ankle

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Tyler Ennis suffered a broken ankle during Saturday's game against the New York Rangers, head coach Mike Babcock said following the contest, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.

Ennis, 29, left during the second period and did not return after taking a wrist shot to the ankle and skating off the ice under his own power. The Maple Leafs went on to win the contest 5-3.

Babcock didn't indicate exactly how long Ennis will be sidelined but confirmed he'll be "out for a while."

The Leafs and Ennis agreed in July on a one-year contract worth $650,000. In his first season with Toronto, the diminutive forward has notched seven goals and four assists, averaging over 10 minutes of ice time in his 32 games played prior to Saturday.

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Maple Leafs’ Hyman to miss at least 3 weeks with ankle sprain

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be without Zach Hyman for at least three weeks as the forward is sidelined with an ankle sprain, the team announced Thursday.

Hyman, 26, suffered the injury when he slid feetfirst into the boards while chasing a loose puck during Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils.

In 32 games this season, Hyman has recorded seven goals and eight assists.

Thursday's 6-1 victory against the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Place marked the third game of the 2018-19 campaign that Hyman has missed after playing all 82 in each of the previous two seasons.

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