Tag Archives: NHL

5 rookies to watch in the Stanley Cup playoffs

This year's postseason will feature a talent pool like no other.

The playoffs will feature this season's top-four point producers - who have combined for 354 playoff games - as well as seven of the league's top-10 scorers.

On top of that, we will also see several players get their first taste of the NHL playoffs. The 2015-16 campaign saw several rookies not only stick with their teams, but help them reach the very spot they sit in now.

With that, here are five rookies to watch in the playoffs:

Artemi Panarin

Panarin enters his first NHL postseason after winning the rookie scoring race. He was the only first-timer to hit the 30-goal mark and built a 21-point cushion between him and second-place finisher Jack Eichel.

While he is considered a rookie, the 24-year-old has a considerable age gap between himself and his fellow rookie class. He finished second in team scoring and should not only capture the Calder Trophy, but will be an integral piece of a Chicago Blackhawks team looking to repeat as champs.

Dylan Larkin

This postseason could quite literally see a passing of the torch.

With this season's playoff installment believed to be Pavel Datsyuk's last, it would be only fitting for Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin to pick it up.

The 19-year-old made his debut this season after spending a year marinating at the University of Michigan. In doing so, he became the first Red Wings rookie to hit the 20-goal plateau since Henrik Zetterberg did so in 2003, while also leading the team in that category.

His 18 even-strength goals and five game-winning goals also bested his fellow Red Wings. Heading into the playoffs, very few rookies will be relied on as heavily as Larkin.

Shayne Gostisbehere

Are you afraid of ghosts?

The Washington Capitals might very well be as they have scored the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, a team that boasts arguably the hottest defenseman down the stretch, Shayne Gostisbehere.

Gostisbehere set a Flyers' rookie defenseman record with 17 goals in 64 games. He also constructed a 15-game point streak, the third longest streak by a rookie since the 1987-88 season.

He has incredible speed and has already proven that he is willing to do whatever he can to help his team win. With the stakes now elevated, we should expect great things from this Calder Trophy hopeful.

Colton Parayko

Gostisbehere is not the only blueliner to keep an eye on.

Colton Parayko seemingly came out of nowhere this season and played a reliable role on the Blues' back end. His nine goals were the second-most by a Blues' defenseman next to Kevin Shattenkirk, while his 33 points ranked third.

He played heavy minutes averaging the fourth-most ice-time on the team, as a rookie. With whispers and uncertainties regarding Shattenkirk's future with the team, he could give the club some leverage moving forward.

He might not be as flashy as the rest on the list, but Parayko will still be vital to any potential run by the Blues.

Robby Fabbri

Another member of the St. Louis Blues could shine in his first taste of playoff action.

Robby Fabbri had a solid first season in the league, filling the net 18 times -good enough for third on the team - while adding 19 helpers in 72 games.

Fabbri's 16 even-strength goals were good enough for second on the club, behind only Vladimir Tarasenko. Fabbri is a talented and speedy winger who has a deceptively good shot.

He can slot up and down the lineup, which can be clutch when secondary scoring becomes a must-have in tight games.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Flames’ Treliving: Goaltending must be solidified next season

After watching his team finish the year with the most goals allowed in the NHL, Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving admits the goalie position needs to be solidified next season, but the poor defensive play doesn't sit solely on their netminders.

"You can't be 30th in goals against, and that's not just hanging out the goaltenders. That's a team stat," Treliving said Monday, per Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson.

The general manager said veteran goaltenders Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom will not be back in Calgary next season. Meanwhile, the other two goalies who appeared for the Flames - Karri Ramo and Joni Ortio - will also become free agents in the offseason.

While Ortio's RFA status makes him likely to return, there's no guarantee the 24-year-old will be the starter in October. James Reimer and Jhonas Enroth will both hit free agency in the summer while goalies such as Michal Neuvirth, Frederik Andersen, and Jimmy Howard could be available on the trade market.

Treliving added he has not yet considered a coaching change, as discussions and evaluations are just beginning.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruins sign Denver leading scorer Heinen to entry-level deal

The Boston Bruins added another college star Monday, announcing the signing of Denver Pioneers forward Danton Heinen to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning next season.

A fourth-round pick of the Bruins in 2014, Heinen led the Pioneers to the NCAA Frozen Four with a team-best 20 goals and 48 points in 41 games this past year.

He will report to the AHL's Providence Bruins for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.

He is the fourth college player to sign with Boston in recent weeks, joining forward Sean Kuraly and defensemen Rob O'Gara and Matt Grzelcyk.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ducks’ Boudreau jokes he’ll choose starting goalie with coin toss

After Frederik Andersen's season-ending shutout Sunday clinched the William Jennings Trophy for himself and fellow goalie John Gibson - Bruce Boudreau joked he may have to flip a coin to decide which netminder takes the starting job for their series against the Nashville Predators.

"We're blessed at this stage to have two really good goalies," Boudreau said Monday. His goaltenders combined to allow 192 goals for the season, one less than the team they blanked in their final game, the Washington Capitals.

Both men enter the postseason in impressive form, with Gibson recording a save percentage above .920 since the beginning of March, while Andersen has suffered just one regulation loss since Jan. 1.

Season Stats

Name GP Record GAA Sv% SO
Andersen 43 22-9-7 2.30 .919 3
Gibson 40 21-13-4 2.07 .920 4

Boudreau said both goalies will likely appear during the postseason, but not necessarily in the opening round, according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, making it clear the Ducks have a lengthy playoff run on their minds.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

McDavid headlines first 18 members of Canada’s World Championship team

Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid will don the red and white for the second time in 16 months.

The 19-year-old was one of the first 18 players to be named to Canada's World Championship team Monday. McDavid will look to add another championship to his resume after capturing gold at the World Juniors in 2015.

Here is how the team stacks up so far:

Forwards

Player NHL Team
Max Domi Coyotes
Matt Duchene Avalanche
Brendan Gallagher Canadiens
Taylor Hall Oilers
Boone Jenner Blue Jackets
Brad Marchand Bruins
Connor McDavid Oilers
Ryan O'Reilly Sabres
Sam Reinhart Sabres
Mark Scheifele Jets
Mark Stone Senators

Defense

Player NHL Team
Cody Ceci Senators
Ben Hutton Canucks
Ryan Murray Blue Jackets
Morgan Rielly Maple Leafs
Chris Tanev Canucks

Goalies

Player NHL Team
Calvin Pickard Avalanche
Cam Talbot Oilers

Canada will look to match the success of last year's contingent, one that captured gold in the Czech Republic.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On the Fly: 3 of the best regular-season stories

On the Fly, theScore's NHL roundtable series, continues. Before we get to the playoffs, we're looking back on the regular season that was and some of our favorite storylines from a wild seven months.

The John Scott Saga

Craig Hagerman: What began as a mockery became a storybook ending.

When John Scott - and his five career goals - was voted by fans to captain the Pacific Division All-Stars, many - including the NHL - looked at it as a joke and pleaded with him to turn down the honor and not attend the league's annual showcase.

However, after citing his family as the main reason he would not only go to Nashville but play in the All-Star Game, Scott took to the ice and made history.

The enforcer became the feel-good story of the weekend. He took part in the hardest-shot competition at the Skills Competition and scored on his first shift of the 3-on-3 tournament, 47 seconds into the Pacific's first game. He finished with two goals, was named tournament MVP, and was hoisted on the shoulders of his fellow All-Stars.

Scott captured the hearts of the hockey world, doing every interview possible with a smile on his face, not uttering a single sour word to those who detested his participation at the festivities. And for the first time in years, Scott brought excitement back to the NHL All-Star Game.

Washington's Most Dangerous Russian

Ian McLaren: A Russian forward led the Washington Capitals in scoring this season, like everyone expected.

The thing is, his name isn't Alex Ovechkin.

With 77 points in 82 games, 23-year-old Evgeny Kuznetsov finished six points ahead of Ovechkin in team scoring. His 57 assists - often delivered in spectacular fashion - were good for fourth in the league, behind only Erik Karlsson (66), Joe Thornton (63), and Patrick Kane (60).

Kuznetsov's emergence helped the Capitals to an NHL-best 120 points, and his high-end offensive game, together with Washington's added depth up front, could very well be the X-factor that helps the team win when it matters most.

Floundering, Flourishing Ducks

Ben Whyte: The Anaheim Ducks somehow went from definite Stanley Cup contender to worst team in the Pacific Division to legitimate Cup favorite all in the span of one season.

In December, it appeared Bruce Boudreau's coaching tenure with Anaheim was over, his team well out of a playoff position. But general manager Bob Murray showed remarkable patience and restraint, hanging on to the Jack Adams winner, and the Ducks rebounded.

Frederik Andersen and John Gibson provided exceptional goaltending and Anaheim went from the lowest-scoring team before the All-Star break to the second-highest scoring team after it. The Ducks' 3.35 goals-per-game average from Feb. 2 onward trailed only the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Now boasting another Pacific title, Anaheim's fourth straight, the Ducks begin their Cup quest against Nashville. The Predators won two of three against Anaheim, but all three games were played before Boudreau's squad turned its season around.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sabres’ McCormick to retire due to blood clot issue

After sitting out the entire 2015-16 season due to a blood clot issue, Buffalo Sabres forward Cody McCormick will be forced to retire, general manager Tim Murray told reporters during a season-ending press conference.

Murray did indicate that though his playing career is over, the 32-year-old may have a role within the organization, according to Paul Hamilton of WGR.

McCormick played parts of five seasons with the Sabres. Over his 10-year career, he recorded 21 goals and 44 assists in 405 career games.

He still has one year remaining on his contract.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Coyotes’ LeBlanc reiterates desire to keep Ekman-Larsson

The departure of Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney appears to have no baring on the future of defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Related: Coyotes relieve Don Maloney of GM duties

Following the announcement that the club relieved Maloney of his duties, president and CEO Anthony LeBlanc went on record to once again put to bed any trade rumours involving the club's top D-man.

According to LeBlanc, "there is absolutely no potential" that Ekman-Larsson will be dealt for a draft pick.

With that, Ekman-Larsson can be expected back with the club next season as well as captain Shane Doan, who will be welcomed back if that's what the 39-year-old wants.

"If Shane Doan wants to come back, we're thrilled," LeBlanc said, according to NHL.com's Dave Vest. "We're going to let him dictate the time frame on that."

With the team not expected to make a significant run at moving up in the draft, LeBlanc also went on record suggesting the team will push hard in free agency.

"I do anticipate we're going to be active (in free agency)," LeBlanc said, according to ABC 15 Sports. "We're just not going to spend money for the sake of spending money, that's for sure."

Arizona should enter free agency with a lot of money to spend, with roughly $40 million in cap space at their disposal, according to capfriendly.com.

Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.