The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.

August 13, 2013

The Hockey News - Aug-13

<div class="image-hero"><img title="f0003-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0003-012221/9962634-1-eng-US/f0003-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>TRAVEL MUG</b></p><p>Jonathan Toews has no drink holder during the Stanley Cup parade, so his knee will have to do.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(PHIL PRITCHARD/HOCKEY HALL OF FAME)</span></figcaption></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

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IN THIS ISSUE

OPENING FACEOFF

<div class="byline">BY KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0032-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0032-011487/9963615-1-eng-US/f0032-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>PASSING ON HIS PRIME</b></p><p>Ilya Kovalchuk&rsquo;s decision to leave the NHL early is certain to have future repercussions.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE INK WAS BARELY DRY</b> on more than a half a billion dollars worth of new contracts when Ilya Kovalchuk dropped a bomb on the hockey world in early July. Yes, it&rsquo;s been that kind of NHL off-season in 2013. And like all seismic activity, it will have future repercussions. Along with players we thought were out the door staying (Roberto Luongo) and others we thought would be in one place forever leaving (Kovalchuk, Daniel Alfredsson), fans will have to adjust to a lot more than just four new divisions.</p><p>For example, how great is it that Alfredsson will have to play at least twice in the Canadian Tire Centre (or whatever they&rsquo;re calling it these days) as a member of the Detroit Red Wings? How great is it that we presumably won&rsquo;t be hearing about the Phoenix Coyotes ownership situation ad nauseam? How great is it that the Philadelphia Flyers seem to have their goaltending stable once and for all? (Maybe.)</p><p>It was a dizzying month following the Chicago Blackhawks raising the Stanley Cup in one of the most entertaining finals in memory. There might not have been suspensions to debate or highlight goals, but in terms of off-ice action, fans had it all: the draft, blockbuster trades, amnesty buyouts and more and bigger signings than anyone thought possible.</p><p>In fact, in the seven days following the dawn of free agency July 5, teams signed or resigned a total of 85 players to one-way, guaranteed contracts totalling $625,900,000. The big winner was Tuukka Rask of the Boston Bruins, who signed for eight years and $56 million, followed closely by teammate Patrice Bergeron, who committed to eight years and $52 million. At the other end of the spectrum was Matt D&rsquo;Agostini, now of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who signed a one-year deal worth $550,000. That made the average deal worth $7.4 million, while the median contract was worth $2.5 million. (That total doesn&rsquo;t reflect two-way deals, performance bonuses for over-35 players or entry-level deals such as those signed by Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche and Seth Jones of the Nashville Predators.)</p><p>Yes, there were a number of crazy deals out there and we all knew they were coming, but there was a fair bit of sanity as well. Ray Emery on a one-year deal with the Flyers for $1.65 million might be remembered as the best signing of the summer, just as the Michal Handzus deal was the best at the trade deadline. Some players cashed in big-time, while others got squeezed. Take Jonathon Blum, who Nashville Predators didn&rsquo;t tender a qualifying offer because they feared he would get a one-way contract if he went to arbitration. He became an unrestricted free agent and signed a two-way deal with the Minnesota Wild.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;The cap is working. Good teams are losing players, bottom teams are gaining them<br>&ndash; JIM NILL</blockquote><p>Where the NHL financial system gives, it also takes away. At least that&rsquo;s the way new Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill sees it. Nill was part of the biggest trade in free agency when he swung for the fences and consummated a seven-player deal with the Bruins that saw Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley move to Dallas and Loui Eriksson and top prospects move to Boston. While there were other factors involved, this was primarily a hockey trade, a rare breed that looked almost extinct as GMs tried to adapt to the salary cap. Nill also signed defenseman Sergei Gonchar to a two-year deal worth $10 million and picked up the last two years of Shawn Horcoff&rsquo;s contract from the Edmonton Oilers at $5.5 million a season. &ldquo;The salary cap is starting to work the way it was supposed to,&rdquo; Nill said. &ldquo;Good teams are losing players and bottom teams are gaining players.&rdquo;</p><p>According to <a href="http://capgeek.com">Capgeek.com</a> (how did the world function before that came along?) 13 teams each had a payroll of $60 million or higher in early July and just six of 30 teams were spending less than $54.3 million, which is $10 million below the salary cap of $64.3 million next season.</p><p>The return of the hockey trade is a welcome sight, to be sure. It&rsquo;s no coincidence that the biggest one of this off-season was made by Nill and Peter Chiarelli, two of the league&rsquo;s best when it comes to evaluating the value of players, both their own and those on other teams. &ldquo;The big thing was that we agreed on the value of the players involved,&rdquo; Nill said. &ldquo;It was a hockey trade where one guy wasn&rsquo;t asking for something unreasonable. With Tyler, Peter&rsquo;s biggest fear was this kid is a 21-year-old pro with high-end ability and he had to protect himself and the prospects he got helped him do that. And Eriksson is in the prime of his career. We&rsquo;re not talking about a 34-year-old guy here who has two or three years left. He can play for another 10 years.&rdquo;</p><p>San Jose Sharks GM Doug Wilson isn&rsquo;t as certain that this summer will provide a template for the business of hockey in the future. He recalls how difficult it was for teams to adjust in the first year after the new collective bargaining agreement in 2005, saying that was the prime reason the Sharks were able to get Joe Thornton in a trade with the Bruins. They amnesty buyouts, which will still exist next summer, had something to do with all the activity.</p><p>And it&rsquo;s likely that teams won&rsquo;t have as much urgency to dump players in future years of the CBA. While the cap dips to $64.3 million next season, most expect revenues will push it between $70 million and $72 million in 2014-15, so the variance between the highest and lowest spenders will likely increase again. &ldquo;You&rsquo;ll see more trades in the future,&rdquo; Wilson said. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t know if it&rsquo;s good or it&rsquo;s bad, but it&rsquo;s a different dynamic.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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FEATURES

ALL-ACTION OFF-SEASON

<div class="byline">&#x2013; SARAH MCLELLAN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-012399/9962887-1-eng-US/f0008-012.jpg" title="f0008-01" width="248" height="281"></div><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-021841/9962880-1-eng-US/f0008-022.jpg" title="f0008-02" width="1044" height="955"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MATT ZAMBONIN/FREESTYLE PHOTO/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-031315/9962873-1-eng-US/f0008-032.jpg" title="f0008-03" width="1024" height="781"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>DOGS OF SUMMER NO MORE</b></p><p>New ownership that will keep the Coyotes in Phoenix allowed them to sign Mike Ribeiro</p> <span class="photo-credit">(G FIUME/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>N THE PAST, WHEN THE COYOTES</b> existed under league rules during their search for ownership, calls to free agents quickly evolved from sales pitches to subtle begging. &ldquo;Will you please come and take a leap of faith?&rdquo; became GM Don Maloney&rsquo;s most-used slogan.</p><p>But this off-season has been completely different. &ldquo;There wasn&rsquo;t a free agent or pending free agent in the marketplace that didn&rsquo;t call us and want to talk about coming to Arizona to play hockey,&rdquo; Maloney said.</p><p>Only a few days before the NHL&rsquo;s free agent signing period opened July 5, the Glendale City Council approved a multi-million dollar deal that would keep the Coyotes in the Valley of the Sun for at least the next five years. The benefits of stability and an ownership group were immediately clear as the Coyotes had one of the most significant signings of the day, landing prized center Mike Ribeiro with a four-year, $22-million contract. &ldquo;This was such a totally different experience,&rdquo; Maloney said.</p><p>As much as the Coyotes were hamstrung financially after previous owner Jerry Moyes thrust the franchise into bankruptcy in 2009, their on-ice performance actually thrived. They replaced coach Wayne Gretzky with Dave Tippett, who has led the team to three playoff berths in the past four seasons, including an appearance in the Western Conference final in 2012.</p><p>But Phoenix&rsquo;s potential was always limited by a league-mandated budget that kept the Coyotes among the lowest-spending teams in the NHL. Their under-the-radar acquisitions were usually fruitful, but the team had trouble attracting elite players.</p><p>Securing ownership was believed to be the key to breaking that barrier. So far, that&rsquo;s been accurate. Whether or not Ribeiro is a boon for the Coyotes, he&rsquo;s already the symbol for a new era. This signing most likely doesn&rsquo;t happen a year ago when the uncertainty surrounding the franchise was at its peak. And Ribeiro might not be a Coyote if the team was relocated. &ldquo;Had Phoenix moved to Seattle, I might have waited a few more days to maybe sign or look around,&rdquo; Ribeiro said.</p><p>Instead, the Coyotes were able to offer long-term security after the Glendale City Council voted 4-3 on July 2 to pass a 15-year lease agreement that will pay investment group IceArizona $15 million annually to manage <a href="http://Jobing.com">Jobing.com</a> Arena. &ldquo;It was an easy decision after that,&rdquo; Ribeiro said.</p><p>IceArizona, led by Canadian businessmen George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc, will reimburse the city each year with revenue from ticket surcharges, parking fees and naming rights to help finance the deal as the city had budgeted only $6 million per year to operate the arena. The deal does include an out clause, which could be triggered after five years if IceArizona&rsquo;s losses reach $50 million, but the group would cover Glendale&rsquo;s losses that exceed $6 million if it&rsquo;s used.</p><p>The group has until Aug. 5 to finalize the sale. That&rsquo;s expected to be a formality and Maloney has been in regular communication with members of IceArizona to outline a budget and vision for the future, which includes rebranding the team the Arizona Coyotes for the 2014-15 season.</p><p>The changes should also boost the marketing efforts and ticket and suite sales, which were restricted without an owner. Most of this won&rsquo;t happen overnight, but it has already helped improve the on-ice product. &ldquo;It made our life 100 percent easier now,&rdquo; Maloney said. &ldquo;Now it was just a matter of who we want and what can we afford.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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DEPARTMENTS

DESERT DRY SPELL FINALLY FINISHED

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0011-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-011971/9963077-1-eng-US/f0011-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN RETIRED NHLER</b> Anders Hedberg was a burgeoning young hockey star in his native Sweden and considering becoming one of the first Europeans to play professionally in North America, he knew there would be significant challenges ahead &ndash; challenges he&rsquo;d need guidance to help overcome.</p><p>To that end, he sat down one fateful night in Stockholm with countryman Ulf Nilsson and a little-known Winnipeg lawyer (who was looking dishevelled on account of the airline losing his luggage) to discuss him representing their hockey interests.</p><p>The lawyer&rsquo;s name was Don Baizley and he would go on to become one of hockey&rsquo;s most respected player agents and represent a slew of European NHL pioneers and superstars of all nationalities, including Hedberg, Nilsson, Joe Sakic, Kent Nilsson, Paul Kariya, Jari Kurri, Patrick Marleau, Teemu Selanne and Peter Forsberg. And from the first day Hedberg met him until non-smoker lung cancer took his life June 27 at age 71, Baizley always could be counted on to put his clients &ndash; and the sport itself &ndash; ahead of anything else. &ldquo;It was the best decision we ever could&rsquo;ve made,&rdquo; Hedberg says of his and Nilsson&rsquo;s choice of Baizley as their agent. &ldquo;He was a diplomat, but there was no question he always was there to look after the players. There was no agenda, which is why players had so much respect for him. He&rsquo;d offer advice, but in the end it was his players who made the decisions.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0011-021435/9963070-1-eng-US/f0011-022.jpg" title="f0011-02" width="1029" height="592"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>POND-HOPPING PIONEER</b></p><p>Don Baizley, left, helped bring Euros Anders Hedberg and Ulf Nilsson to play in North America.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT STUDIOS/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Born in Kenora, Ont., Baizley was raised and lived his entire adult life in Winnipeg, where he worked in a highly respected law firm. The son of a prominent Manitoba chiropractor and provincial politician, he is considered a pioneer in the inclusion of Europeans into pro North American hockey when he brought Hedberg, Nilsson and Lars-Erik Sjoberg to the WHA&rsquo;s Winnipeg Jets in 1974.</p><p>There was never any real controversy with any of Baizley&rsquo;s clients. Don&rsquo;t think that happened by accident. Despite his role as a player advocate, Baizley was as close to the ideal hockey gatekeeper figure as anybody. His words carried great weight within the NHL Players&rsquo; Association and league headquarters. There aren&rsquo;t many agents who never made enemies within the business of the game, but Baizley was one of them. &ldquo;He never lied,&rdquo; says Kent Nilsson. &ldquo;Even if he had something tough to say, he said it in a good way and always led you in the right direction. He was a great mentor, especially to the Europeans.&rdquo;</p><p>Adds Sharks GM Doug Wilson, who first met Baizley as a 16-year-old junior hockey player and went on to negotiate contracts with him as a GM: &ldquo;The respect for Don is worldwide. When we talk about putting the game first and being a caretaker for the sport, that was Don. He represented his clients in an outstanding manner, but the dignity and respect he gave to the game of hockey is something we should all aspire to. He always believed the game came first.&rdquo;</p><p>Baizley was diagnosed with cancer early in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Lesley, children Gordon and Marnie, his brother, Brian and two grandchildren. But the outpouring of love from all corners of the hockey world &ndash; including a massive July 10 memorial service at Winnipeg&rsquo;s MTS Centre &ndash; demonstrates Baizley&rsquo;s family was much bigger than his own flesh and blood.</p><p>In a business where selfishness is often celebrated and rewarded, Baizley reaped what he sowed and what he sowed was uncommon decency, appreciation and respect for everyone he encountered. The hockey world is poorer for his passing, but richer for being touched by him. &ldquo;His father taught him a saying,&rdquo; Hedberg said. &ldquo;The saying was, &lsquo;You love people and you use things. Don&rsquo;t ever get that backwards.&rsquo; Don was absolutely true to that his entire life.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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A CARETAKER FOR THE SPORT

<div class="byline">WITH JASON KAY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-012279/9962672-1-eng-US/f0004-012.jpg" title="f0004-01" width="526" height="919"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(RYAN BROOK/TC MEDIA)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>B</span>Y RIGHTS, THE WORD &ldquo;SHOCK&rdquo;</b> should have disappeared from the NHL&rsquo;s player-movement lexicon on Aug. 9, 1988, the day Wayne Gretzky was traded to the Los Angeles Kings. When the greatest talent to ever lace up skates is moved, out of the blue, during the prime of his career, it&rsquo;s logical to expect communal desensitization to bombshells to follow.</p><p>To a large extent, that has been the case. We were prepared for the Jarome Iginla era to end in Calgary, we understand the impetus behind the Vinny Lecavalier buyout in Tampa, we&rsquo;d heard the whispers about Boston shopping Tyler Seguin. Surprising, titillating, curious. Pick your emotion when it comes to this wild season/summer of transactions, but jaw-on-floor-stunned likely isn&rsquo;t among them. It&rsquo;s not for me.</p><p>With one exception&hellip;thanks to the guy who was supposed to be &ldquo;the exception.&rdquo; Daniel Alfredsson and Ottawa were by all appearances the perfect couple, the superstar who&rsquo;d figured out the keys to happiness in one town and a team/fan base that adored him all the more because of it. It was underdog-small market bliss, the 133rd overall draft pick who didn&rsquo;t just defy the odds by making the NHL, but smashed them by ascending to the franchise&rsquo;s best-ever status.</p><p>A Sen for 17 seasons, Alfredsson owns every meaningful offensive team record and an equally meaningful record of community service. In particular, the work he has done for mental health awareness and the Boys and Girls Club is exemplary and a large building block in his elevated appeal. He was Ottawa&rsquo;s version of Nicklas Lidstrom or Steve Yzerman or Martin Brodeur. Without the Cups.</p><p>And for the record, &lsquo;Alfie&rsquo; says the chance to win that elusive championship fuelled his departure. That there&rsquo;s little to choose between Ottawa and Detroit, in terms of Cup odds, raises questions, as does Alfredsson&rsquo;s decision to leave town without so much as a goodbye news conference. We&rsquo;re guessing there&rsquo;s more to know about the behind-the-scenes machinations. One day we may even learn the truth.</p><p>For now, with the furor abating, the jerseys all burned and the finger-pointing subsiding, we&rsquo;re left with a reinforced understanding of the business of sport. And despite the massive affluence that surrounds the machinery, we can&rsquo;t help but feel just a smidgen poorer.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0004-021930/9962665-1-eng-US/f0004-022.jpg" title="f0004-02" width="414" height="222"></div><p><b>NEXT ISSUE</b> SEPTEMBER 9, 2013</p><p><b>CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TO SUBSCRIBE:</b> <a href="http://THN.com">thn.com</a></p><p><b>CONTACT US:</b> <a href="mailto:editorial@thehockeynews.com">editorial@thehockeynews.com</a><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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RETURN OF THE SHOCK

<h2><b>CONN-ING COREY</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><b><i><span>S</span>o, who votes for the Conn Smythe Trophy? Were they watching the same series as I was? Patrick Kane deserves the accolades given to him, but the Chicago Blackhawks do not win the Stanley Cup without Corey Crawford&rsquo;s performance. He kept Chicago in every game and did what every money goalie has done&hellip;made the save when it counted most. But in the end the only thing that matters is the Blackhawks are champions. Key the goal horn and fire up &ldquo;Chelsea Dagger.&rdquo;</i></b></p><p><b><i>Thomas Roscoe, Carmel, N.Y.</i></b></p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-012509/9962811-1-eng-US/f0006-012.jpg" title="f0006-01" width="541" height="739"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-05520/9962804-1-eng-US/f0006-052.jpg" title="f0006-05" width="455" height="617"></div><h2><b>SORRY, KID</b></h2><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-09107/9962797-1-eng-US/f0006-092.jpg" title="f0006-09" width="140" height="86"></div><p>You blew it, The Hockey News. You really blew it. Placing a cover shot of Seth Jones, posing as this year&rsquo;s &ldquo;Slam Dunk To Go No. 1&rdquo; on the 2013 Draft Preview? Way to jinx the poor kid. Next year, THN, be a little more sensitive to the well-known cover curse.</p><p><b><i>Rick Tarte Windsor, Ont.</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>MOTHERLAND CALLS</b></h2><p><i>Re: Ken Campbell&rsquo;s &ldquo;Kovalchuk retirement a little too convenient&rdquo; <a href="http://THN.com">THN.com</a> column, July 11</i></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div><p>Glad I&rsquo;m not the only one who thinks this smells like&hellip;</p><p><b><i>Chris Crowell</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div><p>The way his contract was set up, it will leave a sour taste in some peoples&rsquo; mouths. Yes, the timing of it isn&rsquo;t ideal for the Devils, but these things happen from time to time. Ilya has every right to make his own decisions for what he sees will be for the benefit of himself and his family.</p><p><b><i>Alan Claringbold</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>STARRING ROLE?</b></h2><p><i>Re: Ken Campbell&rsquo;s &ldquo;Will Tyler Seguin&rsquo;s game flourish in Dallas?&rdquo; <a href="http://THN.com">THN.com</a> column, July 4</i></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div><p>Boston didn&rsquo;t give him an honest chance at his natural position. He is not a third/fourth-line player. Much like they did with Joe Thornton, Boston gave up on him too soon. Tyler has skill and speed. Now he just needs to mature some.</p><p><b><i>Nancy MacNamara Marcotte</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-031026/9962769-1-eng-US/f0006-032.jpg" title="f0006-03" width="70" height="70"></div><p>It is disappointing because Seguin has so much potential and I would love to have seen him in a Bruins sweater for more seasons. He will have a great amount of success in Dallas and they&rsquo;ll give him a great ovation when he comes back to TD Garden.</p><p><b><i>Eric Jonathan Martin</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div><p>I&rsquo;m really not sold on Seguin. Being a No. 1 center is a huge responsibility and I don&rsquo;t think he has the maturity to handle that yet. This is a very questionable trade.</p><p><b><i>Jason Zimmermann</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div><p>Seguin is going to be a pretty good player. Boston just had so much depth he didn&rsquo;t really have a chance to be a go-to guy. I&rsquo;d bet a lot that Seguin has more points than Loui Eriksson next year.</p><p><b><i>Carl De Lucia</i></b></p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>BIGFAN</b></h2><p><b>Jeff Sherwood</b> Salamanca, New York</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-06372/9962748-1-eng-US/f0006-062.jpg" title="f0006-06" width="481" height="800"></div><p>THINK YOU ARE A BIG FAN? SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS AT <a href="http://THN.COM/BIGFAN">THN.COM/BIGFAN</a></p><p>CONTACT US:</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-021718/9962741-1-eng-US/f0006-022.jpg" title="f0006-02" width="140" height="86"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p><a href="mailto:letters@thehockeynews.com">letters@thehockeynews.com</a></p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon012.jpg" title="common01" width="70" height="70"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>/thehockeynews</p><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-04659/9962727-1-eng-US/f0006-042.jpg" title="f0006-04" width="70" height="70"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><p>/+thehockeynews<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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THN INBOX

<p><b>Matt Britton @MattBritton5:</b> Biggest winners are Dallas and Columbus. New GM Jim Nill is making deals Joe Nieuwendyk was too scared of.</p><p><b>HockeyFood @HockeyFood:</b> Maple Leafs. Solidified goaltending with Jonathan Bernier; additional grit with David Clarkson; Tyler Bozak back with Phil Kessel. Clearly better.</p><p><b>Ben Stephenson @hockeyboyz3:</b> The Senators had the best off-season. Losing Alfie allows Jason Spezza to take over his team and show he&rsquo;s a leader.</p><p><b>Kevin Allan @KevinAllan1980:</b> Nashville made some good moves picking up Matt Cullen and Matt Hendricks. Also getting Seth Jones in the draft fourth overall.</p><p><b>Kevin J. Ferguson @KFerghockey:</b> Big winners of the NHL off-season thus far are the fans. They have been treated to some huge trades and big signings.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0006-07248/9962842-1-eng-US/f0006-072.jpg" title="f0006-07" width="474" height="125"></div><h2><b>PUCKPOLL</b></h2><p>HAVE WE SEEN THE LAST OF ILYA KOVALCHUK IN THE NHL?</p><p>YES 60%</p><p>NO 40%<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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TWITTER CHIRPS @THEHOCKEYNEWS

<div class="byline">By Charlie Teljeur</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0008-04" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-04752/9962918-1-eng-US/f0008-042.jpg"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0008-04

The Instigator

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0008-05536/9962949-1-eng-US/f0008-052.jpg" title="f0008-05" width="366" height="495"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BRODEUR: BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>+PLUS</b></h2><h3><b>NEW JERSEY NICE</b></h3><p>Devils trade for seventh-rounder, so Martin Brodeur can announce the selection of his son <b><i>Anthony</i></b>.</p><h2><b>&ndash;MINUS</b></h2><h3><b>SHREDDED TWEET</b></h3><p>Tyler Seguin apologizes, says his Twitter account was hacked after a homophobic slur appears on it.</p><h2><b>+PLUS</b></h2><h3><b>WELCOME BACK</b></h3><p>Dominic Moore returns to the NHL after stepping back for a season when he lost his wife to cancer.</p><h2><b>&ndash;MINUS</b></h2><h3><b>EARLY RETIREMENT</b></h3><p>Ilya Kovalchuk retires from the NHL at 30, though it&rsquo;s widely speculated he&rsquo;ll play in the KHL.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0008-05

PLUS MINUS

<div class="byline">BY BRENDAN SHANAHAN </div><div class="byline">&#x2013; WITH ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-012374/9962987-1-eng-US/f0010-012.jpg" title="f0010-01" width="329" height="333"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-021739/9962980-1-eng-US/f0010-022.jpg" title="f0010-02" width="197" height="289"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN I GOT THE CALL INFORMING ME I&rsquo;D</b> be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, it was a great day. Not just for the tremendous honor, but because I heard from so many former teammates, coaches and friends. When my playing days ended, I didn&rsquo;t spend much time reflecting on my career. But on the day that call came and for the next couple days, it felt great just to talk like a hockey player again.</p><p>The first people who come to mind at a time like this are your immediate family, who make a lot of sacrifices for you along the way. So I thought of my mother, Rosaleen, who just turned 80, and my father, Donal, who was the first one to get me on skates. He passed away in 1990 and actually missed my pro career even when he was still alive because he had Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Now that I&rsquo;m a hockey dad, I see the sacrifices they made: early mornings, long car rides. It&rsquo;s a lot of fun, but a lot of work.</p><p>One of my career highlights is winning that first Stanley Cup in Detroit in 1997. On that team, only Mike Vernon, Larry Murphy and Joey Kocur had previously won a Cup, so the rest of us were all first-timers. It was the first time in 42 years that the Red Wings had won. Other highlights include winning gold at the 1994 World Championship, ending a 33-year drought for Canada, and being on the gold medal-winning 2002 Canadian Olympic team, which hadn&rsquo;t won since 1952. It&rsquo;s great to be part of any championship team, but when you&rsquo;re part of one breaking a long drought it makes those moments even more special.</p><p>People remember championships, but they might not remember that you deal with huge failures as well. Once you make the NHL, you&rsquo;ve learned about channelling disappointment, but there&rsquo;s no point in dwelling on things in a negative way. You use it as fuel for the next time. The more heartbreaking and angering a loss was, the more it was about turning it into motivation for the next year. The 1998 Winter Olympics is a great example. The only thing that got me through the disappointment of losing in Nagano, Japan, was the determination that somehow I&rsquo;d be a member of the team in 2002. I was fortunate to get that second chance.</p><p>I don&rsquo;t know if you can properly articulate what this Hall of Fame honor means in a speech or interview. But I think when you approach anything in life with passion, people respect that. If you&rsquo;re one of the fortunate few to play in the NHL, fans want to see that you appreciate it. I loved being a hockey player and I loved being on a team &ndash; starting from age five all the way until I retired at 40 years old.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0010-01

IT’S MY HONOR

<div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-031123/9963039-1-eng-US/f0010-032.jpg" title="f0010-03" width="141" height="208"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>C</span>HRIS CHELIOS</b> One of the greatest D-man and U.S.- born players in history won three Stanley Cups and a trio of Norris Trophies in his 26-year NHL career.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-04775/9963032-1-eng-US/f0010-042.jpg" title="f0010-04" width="143" height="209"></div><p><b>SCOTT NIEDERMAYER</b> Silky-smooth Canadian defenseman won four Stanley Cups, a Norris Trophy, two Olympic gold medals and one World Cup gold.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-05558/9963025-1-eng-US/f0010-052.jpg" title="f0010-05" width="142" height="208"><figcaption class="caption-body" style="width: 142px"><span class="photo-credit">(HEANEY: HOCKEY CANADA IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>GERALDINE HEANEY</b> Known as the Bobby Orr of women&rsquo;s hockey for her blueline skills, she won gold at 2002 Olympics and led Canada to seven WC titles.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0010-06411/9963018-1-eng-US/f0010-062.jpg" title="f0010-06" width="141" height="207"><figcaption class="caption-body" style="width: 141px"><span class="photo-credit">(SHERO: BRUCE BENNETT STUDIOS/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>FRED SHERO</b> Late former Flyers coach &ndash; a.k.a. &lsquo;The Fog&rsquo; and father of Pens GM Ray Shero &ndash; guided Philly to two Cup wins and the Rangers to a final appearance.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p></div>

f0010-03

The Other HONOREES

<div class="byline">&#x2013; BRION O&#x2019;CONNOR</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0012-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-021825/9963115-1-eng-US/f0012-022.jpg"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>H</span>OCKEY PLAYERS ARE KNOWN</b> for their toughness. Brittany McPherson, a 14-year-old goaltender from Lynn, Mass., takes that reputation to a new level.</p><p>This spring, McPherson completed a remarkable run. The eighth-grader helped her St. Mary&rsquo;s Lady Spartans win a state championship as a backup goalie and guided her select Islanders under-14 team to the Tier I state level and the national tournament in California. Making those accomplishments even more extraordinary is the fact not even 10 months earlier, she was confined to a bed at Massachusetts General Hospital.</p><p>In June 2012, McPherson was recovering from radical surgery to treat a particularly aggressive form of ulcerative colitis, an autoimmune disease that attacks the lower gastrointestinal tract and is similar to Crohn&rsquo;s disease. She was first diagnosed in November 2011, just after Halloween. &ldquo;It was scary, it happened so fast,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;I just had to fight through it. I was just going to put it to the side, because I was going to play high school hockey.&rdquo;</p><p>Thanks to a regimen of short-term anti-inflammatory drugs, McPherson was able to play for the Winthrop-Lynn High co-op team as a seventh-grader, leading the school to a 14-5-1 mark and a spot in the state tournament. After the season, however, her condition quickly deteriorated and doctors opted to remove her large intestine and rebuild her gastrointestinal tract. Shortly afterward, McPherson went into septic shock and was fighting for her life. Doctors were able to stabilize her and two weeks later she was finally able to go home. That&rsquo;s when the hard work began.</p><p>Following months of rehabilitation, which often left her exhausted and sore, and sporting a 10-inch scar that was still tender to the touch, McPherson showed her fighting spirit, suiting up in early September to start her hockey season.</p><p>As an added bonus, her parents, Karen and Scott McPherson, decided to send their daughter to her dream school, St. Mary&rsquo;s, a small private institution that is a perennial power in Massachusetts girls hockey. &ldquo;I wanted to be on that team someday,&rdquo; she said.</p><p>Though McPherson&rsquo;s work with the select U-14 Islanders team was noteworthy, it paled in comparison to making the St. Mary&rsquo;s team. As a Grade 8 student, she routinely plays against girls up to fours years her senior. &ldquo;Brittany&rsquo;s very articulate, opinionated and spirited,&rdquo; said St. Mary&rsquo;s coach Frank Pagliuca. &ldquo;She&rsquo;ll tell you that she&rsquo;s still working to get back to where she wants to be. She&rsquo;s never satisfied with her results and is always willing to push herself. It goes to her work ethic and her commitment, not just to hockey but to her health. That&rsquo;s a tribute to her, her physicians and her family.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-031182/9963108-1-eng-US/f0012-032.jpg" title="f0012-03" width="482" height="633"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>YOUTH IN REVOLT</b></p><p>At 14, Brittany McPherson regularly stops pucks against 18-year-old opponents.</p></figcaption></div><p>McPherson is also committed to finding a cure for ulcerative colitis. She wants to raise awareness and funds to fight the disease, so she formed &lsquo;Brittany&rsquo;s Battle Buddies&rsquo; to participate in the Crohn&rsquo;s and Colitis Foundation of America walk-a-thon fundraiser in Boston (where she personally raised more than $7,000). The walk, June 1, took place almost exactly one year from the date of McPherson&rsquo;s surgery.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-02

QUICK HEALER, INSIDE AND OUT

<div class="byline">&#x2013; CLIVE BRANSON</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0012-012312/9963146-1-eng-US/f0012-012.jpg" title="f0012-01" width="238" height="238"></div><h2><b>BUFFALO SABRES</b></h2><p><i>(1970-present)</i></p><p class="dropcap"><span>A</span>fter several attempts, the NHL finally selected Buffalo as an expansion club in 1970. Northrup and Seymour Knox, the team&rsquo;s owners, held a citywide contest to name the team. They were emphatic not to replicate another term for buffalo or bison &ndash; something ubiquitous throughout the local sports scene &ndash; and chose &ldquo;Sabres&rdquo; as the winning entry. The appeal of the name was affiliated with strength and swiftness, something that could be attributed to the team&rsquo;s offense and defense.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0012-01

Behind THE NAME

<div class="byline">&#x2013; DON LAIBLE</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0013-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-012015/9963177-1-eng-US/f0013-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>COMETS&rsquo; TALE</b></p><p>Laurence Gilman and Robert Esche will help write a new chapter in Utica hockey history.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(UTICA: LINDSAY A. MOGLE/UTICA COMETS)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>AFTER A 20-YEAR ABSENCE,</b> the American League is returning to New York&rsquo;s Mohawk Valley region for 2013-14.</p><p>More than 200 members of the media and fans were in attendance in mid-June when the Vancouver Canucks officially announced the relocation of its AHL affiliate to Utica, N.Y., population 62,000, after purchasing the Peoria Rivermen from the St. Louis Blues in April.</p><p>The Canucks signed a six-year agreement with Mohawk Valley Garden, an ownership group led by former NHL goalie Robert Esche and hockey executive Frank DuRoss to move the team to Utica, bringing AHL hockey back to the town for the first time since 1992-93, the last season of the Utica Devils. The team&rsquo;s new nickname comes from the Clinton Comets who played nine miles to Utica&rsquo;s south between 1949 and 1973. &ldquo;We are deeply proud to bring hockey back to Utica,&rdquo; said Canucks VP of hockey operations and assistant GM Laurence Gilman.</p><p>Esche played eight seasons in the NHL with Phoenix and Philadelphia, and three seasons in the AHL, all with Springfield. DuRoss, who owned the AHL&rsquo;s Providence Bruins for 13 seasons, was president of the Utica Devils.</p><p>Left winger Tom Sestito, who weeks earlier signed a two-year deal with the Canucks, was among those in Utica for the Comets introduction. Raised in nearby Rome, N.Y., Sestito is excited to have pro hockey finally return to the area. &ldquo;This is great for the city and for the community as well,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s an exciting time.&rdquo;</p><p>The Comets will play out of the 54-year old Utica Memorial Auditorium, which seats 3,800 for hockey and was one of the sites used in the filming of the classic film <i>Slap Shot</i>. New York State is pumping $5 million into the Auditorium with enhancements being made inside and out, including a video scoreboard, a new parking lot, an upgrade to the arena&rsquo;s facade and additional infrastructure improvements.</p><p>The Canucks are responsible for supplying player equipment and affiliation fees, among other expenses. Utica management will take care of travel costs, staff, as well as covering a wide range of obligations at the Auditorium: tickets, ushers and scheduling ice time.</p><p>Esche and the numerous local politicians who helped bring a team back to Utica are overwhelmed by the region&rsquo;s support. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re shocked with how the community has come behind us,&rdquo; Esche said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not just about putting the Comets on ice. We want to make each game a social event. Civic pride is good for cities.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0013-01

THE COMETS COMETH

<div class="byline">BY SAL BARRY, WEBMASTER OF THE HOCKEY CARD SITE PUCKJUNK.COM</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-021405/9963236-1-eng-US/f0013-022.jpg" title="f0013-02" width="469" height="678"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN AN NHL PLAYER</b> passes away, card companies usually ignore the fact. But when Terry Sawchuk died unexpectedly in the summer of 1970 from a pulmonary embolism at 40, O-Pee-Chee included him in its 1970-71 set, eulogizing him with a special card. The back lists Sawchuk&rsquo;s records and accomplishments. What is really notable, though, is the front because it uses heavy black letters and a gray background, instead of the poppy neon colors found throughout the rest of the set. It was a memorable card for a memorable player.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-031014/9963229-1-eng-US/f0013-032.jpg" title="f0013-03" width="280" height="400"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-04815/9963222-1-eng-US/f0013-042.jpg" title="f0013-04" width="277" height="390"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-05629/9963215-1-eng-US/f0013-052.jpg" title="f0013-05" width="280" height="400"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0013-06520/9963208-1-eng-US/f0013-062.jpg" title="f0013-06" width="277" height="394"></div><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span>

f0013-02

In The CARDS

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0014-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-012293/9963477-1-eng-US/f0014-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ALL: BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>T</span>he 2013 draft, held in New Jersey on June 30, was filled with surprises. And squeezing all seven rounds of the event into one day meant chaos behind the scenes. But we&rsquo;re here to sort it all out, with grades for each franchise and a little bit of info on your side&rsquo;s top selection. Keep in mind the grade is for the franchise&rsquo;s overall draft class, not the individual player. The explanation on the right side of the box provides some insight into the evaluation.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-021729/9963470-1-eng-US/f0014-022.jpg" title="f0014-02" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A</b></h2><p>NATHAN <b>MACKINNON</b></p><p><b>1ST OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS</i></p><p>On top of nabbing the best prospect in the draft in MacKinnon, the Avs took a great pro-style defender in second-rounder Chris Bigras and diversified on the back end with Mason Geertsen, Will Butcher and diamond in the rough Ben Storm.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-031167/9963463-1-eng-US/f0014-032.jpg" title="f0014-03" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A</b></h2><p>ALEKSANDER <b>BARKOV</b></p><p><b>2ND OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>TAPPARA</i></p><p>Finnish phenom Barkov will contest for a roster spot right away, but the Panthers already have a lot of youth, so after that they went for long-term projects. Ian Mc-Coshen, Evan Cowley, Michael Downing and Matt Buckles are all college-bound.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-04799/9963456-1-eng-US/f0014-042.jpg" title="f0014-04" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>JONATHAN <b>DROUIN</b></p><p><b>3RD OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>LEFT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>HALIFAX MOOSEHEADS</i></p><p>Drouin always seemed to be a good fit in Tampa as Steven Stamkos&rsquo; future running mate, but the Bolts were surely surprised Adam Erne dropped to them in the second round. Tampa had no picks in the middle, but Henri Ikonen was a nice get.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-05550/9963449-1-eng-US/f0014-052.jpg" title="f0014-05" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B</b></h2><p>SETH <b>JONES</b></p><p><b>4TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>PORTLAND WINTERHAWKS</i></p><p>Jones had been projected as a potential No. 1 pick overall, so naturally Preds were happy he fell. A tandem with Jonathan-Ismael Diaby in a few years would be a great mix of skill and brawn. Nashville did not address offensive needs, however.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-06425/9963442-1-eng-US/f0014-062.jpg" title="f0014-06" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C-</b></h2><p>ELIAS <b>LINDHOLM</b></p><p><b>5TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>BRYNAS</i></p><p>Lindholm is a gritty, responsible two-way center who helped Sweden to WJC silver, while Brett Pesce already has a season of NCAA work under his belt. But in a deep draft, the Canes only had four picks, missing a chance to stock the cupboards.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-07331/9963435-1-eng-US/f0014-072.jpg" title="f0014-07" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B</b></h2><p>SEAN <b>MONAHAN</b></p><p><b>6TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>OTTAWA 67&rsquo;S</i></p><p>The Flames used all three of their first-round picks and got some nice talent in Monahan (who has straight-to-the-NHL potential), Emile Poirier and Morgan Klimchuk. Rest of their draft was risky, starting with the lumbering Keegan Kanzig.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-08272/9963428-1-eng-US/f0014-082.jpg" title="f0014-08" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>DARNELL <b>NURSE</b></p><p><b>7TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>S.S. MARIE GREYHOUNDS</i></p><p>Nurse&rsquo;s size, skating and snarl made him the perfect fit for the rebuilding Oilers, while Gregory Chase was a steal in the seventh round, even if his destiny is bottom-six forward. Oilers also took a lot of chances on raw kids and Russians.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-09236/9963421-1-eng-US/f0014-092.jpg" title="f0014-09" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A+</b></h2><p>RASMUS <b>RISTOLAINEN</b></p><p><b>8TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>TPS TURKU</i></p><p>Between Ristolainen and second first-rounder Nikita Zadorov, Sabres got a lot bigger and tougher on the blueline. Local boys Justin Bailey and Sean Malone were nice picks, while JT Compher and Connor Hurley bring lots of promise, too.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-10212/9963414-1-eng-US/f0014-102.jpg" title="f0014-10" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B</b></h2><p>BO <b>HORVAT</b></p><p><b>9TH OVERALL</b></p><p><i><b>CENTER</b> LONDON KNIGHTS</i></p><p>Vancouver had to give up Cory Schneider to get Horvat, but the character kid with the clutch goal-scoring habit is a keeper. Fellow first-rounder Hunter Shinkaruk is all offense while Jordan Subban can bring it up from the blueline with speed.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0014-11186/9963407-1-eng-US/f0014-112.jpg" title="f0014-11" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B</b></h2><p>VALERI <b>NICHUSHKIN</b></p><p><b>10TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>RIGHT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>CHELYABINSK</i></p><p>If Nichushkin wins the Calder, teams will point out how lucky Dallas was that he slipped down. But they still made the pick and must be praised. Jason Dickinson has home-run potential, as does goalie Philippe Desrosiers.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-011981/9963400-1-eng-US/f0015-012.jpg" title="f0015-01" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C+</b></h2><p>SAMUEL <b>MORIN</b></p><p><b>11TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>RIMOUSKI OCEANIC</i></p><p>The Flyers wanted Ristolainen, but were more than happy to grab 6-foot-6 Morin, who combines toughness and skating. Karma paid off when Robert Hagg slipped to the second round, but there&rsquo;s a lot of uncertainty in the rest of Philly&rsquo;s draft.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-021408/9963393-1-eng-US/f0015-022.jpg" title="f0015-02" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B+</b></h2><p>MAX <b>DOMI</b></p><p><b>12TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>LONDON KNIGHTS</i></p><p>The Yotes only had six picks, but they made the most of them, starting with Domi. Laurent Dauphin and Yan Pavel Laplante can also put the puck in the net, while goalie Brendan Burke (Sean&rsquo;s kid) will have a shot at starter&rsquo;s minutes in Portland.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-03979/9963386-1-eng-US/f0015-032.jpg" title="f0015-03" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A+</b></h2><p>JOSH <b>MORRISSEY</b></p><p><b>13TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>PRINCE ALBERT RAIDERS</i></p><p>Morrissey is a solid-looking two-way defenseman and that was just the beginning for the Jets. Nic Petan, Jimmy Lodge and JC Lipon add to the offensive department while Eric Comrie is a goalie of the future. Plus the Jets added four more blueliners.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-04734/9963379-1-eng-US/f0015-042.jpg" title="f0015-04" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A+</b></h2><p>ALEXANDER <b>WENNBERG</b></p><p><b>14TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>DJURGARDEN</i></p><p>Wennberg is a speedy, opportunistic scorer while fellow first-rounders Kerby Rychel and Marko Dano bring a mix of physicality and offense. That&rsquo;s a good class right there, but then the Jackets added solid defensive D-man Dillon Heatherington.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-05514/9963372-1-eng-US/f0015-052.jpg" title="f0015-05" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>RYAN <b>PULOCK</b></p><p><b>15TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>BRANDON WHEAT KINGS</i></p><p>Pulock brings a heavy shot and a sturdy frame to the Islanders&rsquo; stable, while pintsized Taylor Cammarata led the USHL in scoring. New York got some nice goalie talent in Eamon McAdam and MSU-Mankato freshman Stephon Williams.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-06415/9963365-1-eng-US/f0015-062.jpg" title="f0015-06" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A</b></h2><p>CURTIS <b>LAZAR</b></p><p><b>17TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>EDMONTON OIL KINGS</i></p><p>Lazar is a big-time goal-scorer who also plays a well-rounded, gritty game. From there, the Senators got an underrated goalie in Marcus Hogberg, a first-class agitator in Vincent Dunn and a late steal in Denver freshman Quentin Shore.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-07353/9963358-1-eng-US/f0015-072.jpg" title="f0015-07" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C-</b></h2><p>MIRCO <b>MUELLER</b></p><p><b>18TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>EVERETT SILVERTIPS</i></p><p>Mueller had a nice season in the WHL, picking up some of the slack for the injured Ryan Murray. He&rsquo;s big and skates well, but after that the Sharks went for a lot of raw, long-term projects. Sharks have struggled in the draft lately.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-08304/9963351-1-eng-US/f0015-082.jpg" title="f0015-08" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>ANTHONY <b>MANTHA</b></p><p><b>20TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>RIGHT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>VAL-D&rsquo;OR FOREURS</i></p><p>Mantha, the best goal-scorer in the QMJHL, and fellow winger Zach Nastasiuk were solid picks. Detroit then played into its own myth by taking Mattias Janmark, a Swede few in the building had heard of (but must be good, right?).</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-09266/9963344-1-eng-US/f0015-092.jpg" title="f0015-09" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C</b></h2><p>FREDERIK <b>GAUTHIER</b></p><p><b>21ST OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>RIMOUSKI OCEANIC</i></p><p>A smart, responsible two-way forward, Gauthier isn&rsquo;t the pure scorer the Leafs need, but maybe Carter Verhaeghe will be one day. The Dave Bolland trade cut two picks out of this year&rsquo;s class, but at least the Leafs have Bolland immediately.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-10236/9963337-1-eng-US/f0015-102.jpg" title="f0015-10" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A-</b></h2><p>ANDRE <b>BURAKOVSKY</b></p><p><b>23RD OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>LEFT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>MALMO REDHAWKS</i></p><p>Burakovsky has lots of potential that wasn&rsquo;t used by Malmo this year, but will likely get a new start elsewhere in 2013-14. Madison Bowey was a great second-round pick, while Zach Sanford has loads of upside as a power forward.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-11210/9963330-1-eng-US/f0015-112.jpg" title="f0015-11" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>A+</b></h2><p>MICHAEL <b>MCCARRON</b></p><p><b>25TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>RIGHT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>U.S. NTDP</i></p><p>McCarron had a great second half, working through some consistency issues. But the Habs really did great work from there, nabbing Jacob De La Rose, Zach Fucale and Artturi Lehkonen &ndash; all potential first-rounders &ndash; when they dropped.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-12175/9963323-1-eng-US/f0015-122.jpg" title="f0015-12" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>SHEA <b>THEODORE</b></p><p><b>26TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>SEATTLE THUNDERBIRDS</i></p><p>Theodore was described as a &ldquo;bit of a gambler&rdquo; by one scout and the same could be said for the Ducks as a whole. Anaheim had just five picks, all of which bring questions. They also continued their NTDP fixation with Keaton Thompson.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-13153/9963316-1-eng-US/f0015-132.jpg" title="f0015-13" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C+</b></h2><p>RYAN <b>HARTMAN</b></p><p><b>30TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>RIGHT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>PLYMOUTH WHALERS</i></p><p>Hartman is one of the most effective and offensively dangerous agitators around. Perhaps the new Dave Bolland for the Hawks. After him, Chicago got a nice piece in John Hayden, but also took a lot of flyers.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-14137/9963309-1-eng-US/f0015-142.jpg" title="f0015-14" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B</b></h2><p>VALENTIN <b>ZYKOV</b></p><p><b>37TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>LEFT WING</i></b>&nbsp;<i>BAIE-COMEAU DRAKKAR</i></p><p>Another talented young Russian to add to the arsenal, Zykov was surprisingly available in the second round. The Kings only had one pick in the top 100, but landed a solid goalie in Patrik Bartosak and could have a gem if Hudson Fasching turns out.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-15116/9963302-1-eng-US/f0015-152.jpg" title="f0015-15" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C</b></h2><p>STEVEN <b>SANTINI</b></p><p><b>42ND OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>U.S. NTDP</i></p><p>New Jersey&rsquo;s big score at the draft was done via trade, securing netminder Cory Schneider. Bump their grade up a level if you include that, but otherwise the Devils took a lot of risks with the exception of Santini, a solid all-around defender.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-16107/9963295-1-eng-US/f0015-162.jpg" title="f0015-16" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>TRISTAN <b>JARRY</b></p><p><b>44TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>GOALIE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>EDMONTON OIL KINGS</i></p><p>The feisty backup goaltender boasted some of the best stats in the WHL. With the Penguins loaded for now, GM Ray Shero looked long-term in his draft, landing college-bound kids such as Jake Guentzel, Blaine Byron and Troy Josephs.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1798/9963288-1-eng-US/f0015-172.jpg" title="f0015-17" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C+</b></h2><p>GUSTAV <b>OLOFSSON</b></p><p><b>46TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>GREEN BAY GAMBLERS</i></p><p>Highly regarded in USHL circles, Olofsson is a puck-moving defenseman with great upside. Dylan Labbe and Nolan De Jong are also promising blueliners, while Avery Peterson fills the yearly quota from the Minnesota high school circuit.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1886/9963281-1-eng-US/f0015-182.jpg" title="f0015-18" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>D</b></h2><p>TOMMY <b>VANNELLI</b></p><p><b>47TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>MINNETONKA SKIPPERS</i></p><p>A pure athlete who joined the U.S. NTDP after his Minnesota high school season was done, Vannelli is committed to Minnesota. The Blues had just four picks in the draft and must be hoping William Carrier can rebound from an up-and-down year.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-1975/9963274-1-eng-US/f0015-192.jpg" title="f0015-19" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>B-</b></h2><p>LINUS <b>ARNESSON</b></p><p><b>60TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>DEFENSE</i></b>&nbsp;<i>DJURGARDEN</i></p><p>Arnesson is a steady, serviceable blueliner who played against men back home. The Bruins picked late, but found some nice long-term projects in Peter Cehlarik and New Englanders Ryan Fitzgerald and Wiley Sherman, both college-bound.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0015-2064/9963267-1-eng-US/f0015-202.jpg" title="f0015-20" width="165" height="137"></div><h2><b>C-</b></h2><p>ADAM <b>TAMBELLINI</b></p><p><b>65TH OVERALL</b></p><p><b><i>CENTER</i></b>&nbsp;<i>SURREY EAGLES</i></p><p>Bound for the University of North Dakota, Tambellini comes from hockey bloodlines and emerged as a dangerous scorer in Jr. A this year. The Rangers had just five picks, though, and gambled a lot after the Tambellini selection.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0014-01

DRAFT REPORT CARD

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0016-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0016-012057/9963508-1-eng-US/f0016-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>STARS STEAL A STAR</b></p><p>Scouts viewed Valeri Nichushkin as a top-three talent. The Dallas Stars nabbed him at 10th overall.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>N</span>EWARK, N.J. &ndash; THOUGH THE 2014 DRAFT IS</b> more than 300 days away, just go ahead and slot Barrie&rsquo;s Aaron Ekblad at No. 3. Why? Because he&rsquo;s a defenseman, that&rsquo;s why. Even though Ekblad was granted exceptional status to join the Ontario League a year early and has evolved into a big, important two-way player for the Colts, the 2013 draft demonstrated that some biases die hard and that&rsquo;s why Seth Jones dropped to No. 4 after looking like the consensus No. 1 for a good stretch of the season. Not only that, but Jones could have helped a thin Colorado blueline. Plus, he was raised in Colorado and knows Joe Sakic, the team&rsquo;s executive vice president of hockey operations.</p><p>But no matter. The Avs went with center Nathan MacKinnon and you&rsquo;re never wrong when you take a pivot with superstar potential. Just ask Tampa about Steven Stamkos, or the Islanders about John Tavares. Still, try telling that to Jones, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound world junior gold medallist and Western League title winner. &ldquo;Yeah, it definitely sounded too good to be true,&rdquo; Jones says. &ldquo;It turned out that way. You want to prove them wrong and you want to show them why they should have picked you. That&rsquo;s not my only goal next year, but it&rsquo;s definitely on my list.&rdquo;</p><p>If there&rsquo;s a silver lining for Jones, it&rsquo;s that his NHL tutelage will come with an organization adept at developing defenseman and one that puts a big emphasis on mentorship. As coach Barry Trotz pointed out, that&rsquo;s how Roman Josi, the Swiss sophomore, ended up on the top pairing with Olympian workhorse Shea Weber. &ldquo;We like to put the young guys and vets together,&rdquo; Trotz says. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s what we did with Roman this year.&rdquo;</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;YOU WANT TO PROVE THEM WRONG AND YOU WANT TO SHOW THEM WHY THEY SHOULD HAVE PICKED YOU<br>&ndash; Seth Jones</blockquote><p>Once the defense bias was pierced, the next hurdle was for Russians. Valeri Nichushkin had been called a top-three talent by scouts heading into the draft and seemed to quash any fears of a Kontinental League factor by announcing he would be coming over to North America in search of an NHL job immediately, despite having a lucrative contract awaiting him back in Moscow. Nonetheless, Nichushkin was still around at No. 10, where the Dallas Stars happily snapped him up.</p><p>With new GM Jim Nill adding centers Tyler Seguin, Shawn Horcoff and Rich Peverley to the lineup via trade since the draft, Nichushkin will have some pivots to play with. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited about his opportunity to make the team and we think he&rsquo;s close,&rdquo; Nill says. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to monitor him and that was one of the reasons we added the veterans we did, going back to the Sergei Gonchar trade. He&rsquo;s staying here the whole summer. He&rsquo;s going to start working on his English and he&rsquo;ll train here.&rdquo;</p><p>Nill adds that Nichushkin will play for the Stars&rsquo; prospect team at the annual Traverse City tournament in Michigan and suit up for an NHL exhibition game. That the franchise added Gonchar to the lineup in early June seems like kismet now, as the Stars don&rsquo;t have any other Russians on their depth chart. The veteran defenseman is now a perfect mentor for Nichushkin, who can benefit from his presence in the same way Evgeni Malkin did when Gonchar was patrolling the blueline in Pittsburgh. There is a question as to what happens with Nichushkin if he doesn&rsquo;t make the opening night roster in Dallas. The American League would be an option and the specter of the KHL will always be there for NHL teams, but the youngster with the wicked wingspan didn&rsquo;t seem too concerned on draft day. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t want to look too far ahead, because anything can happen,&rdquo; Nichushkin said through a translator. &ldquo;But I&rsquo;m pretty sure I can make the NHL.&rdquo;</p><p>Bold words from the teenager, though Nichushkin quickly worked his way up the ladder in Russia this season, going from junior to the farm team and finally to KHL Chelyabinsk, where he helped Traktor get to the Gagarin Cup final with nine points in 25 post-season games.</p><p>With or without a translator, his actions on the ice came through loud and clear.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0016-01

GOLD FOR THE PRICE OF SILVER

<div class="byline">BY RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0017-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0017-011766/9963539-1-eng-US/f0017-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>TIP OF THE WENNBERG</b></p><p>No. 14 overall pick Alexander Wennberg is a long-term project, but is rapidly improving.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BILL WIPPERT/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS WALKED INTO</b> the 2013 draft with a spring in their step. After all, the franchise was quickly resurrected by Vezina Trophy-winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky during the shortened season, albeit a smidge late to earn a playoff berth. Nonetheless, the new brain-trust of GM Jarmo Kekalainen and president of hockey operations John Davidson commands respect around the NHL and after drafting three players in the first round, the Jackets are looking viable now and in the future. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m excited,&rdquo; says left winger Kerby Rychel. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a young team and an organization that is turning the corner. I&rsquo;ve heard nothing but good things about the city.&rdquo;</p><p>Rychel was the second of three forwards taken by Columbus in the top 30, sandwiched at No. 19 between Swedish pivot Alexander Wennberg (14th overall) and Slovakian power forward Marko Dano (27th overall). The son of ex-NHLer and Windsor Spitfires owner/GM Warren Rychel posted back-to-back 40-goal seasons in Windsor, but also drops the gloves with aplomb, as his running feud with Plymouth agitator Ryan Hartman (30th overall to Chicago) can attest. Spitfires owner/coach Bob Boughner spent a year as an assistant coach in Columbus and gave Rychel a positive review of the Ohio capital. &ldquo;With Rychel, there&rsquo;s bloodlines obviously,&rdquo; Davidson says. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a passion for a hockey, a kid who can be a power forward who is improving his skating and knows how to score goals. We&rsquo;re real happy with that stuff.&rdquo;</p><p>While none of the three picks should be expected to jump right onto the Columbus roster, Rychel&rsquo;s thick six-foot, 205-pound frame and maturity (his late birthday means he&rsquo;ll be 19 come October) suggest he&rsquo;s not far off. &ldquo;There aren&rsquo;t too many pure goal scorers at the NHL level,&rdquo; he says. &ldquo;So I&rsquo;m going to have to grind, kill penalties, do whatever it takes.&rdquo;</p><p>Dano was a bit of surprise as a first-rounder, though he&rsquo;s also the type of player who will throw his weight around and has been doing so against men for the past couple years. This season it was in the Kontinental League with Slovan Bratislava. Some look at Dano&rsquo;s nine points in six games at the world juniors for Slovakia as a big plus, but four of those came in two relegation round matches. He also needs to stay out of the penalty box, but there&rsquo;s a risk in curtailing his bruising too much, as Dano is most effective when he&rsquo;s crashing and banging. Whether he remains overseas in the short term is another question. &ldquo;There&rsquo;s a chance he will be,&rdquo; Davidson says. &ldquo;But he&rsquo;s our property, we drafted him and we&rsquo;re very happy. He looks like a hockey player already. Fit, strong, he&rsquo;s already playing in a men&rsquo;s league.&rdquo;</p><p>The top player in the crop, Wennberg, also comes with an impressive resume. As part of Sweden&rsquo;s world junior team, he stepped up when injuries crushed the Tre Kronor leading up to the tourney in Russia. Instead of wilting, the kids ran all the way to the final, losing a close one to Team USA to earn silver. &ldquo;We were missing a lot of great guys - Oscar Klefbom, Hampus Lindholm, Mika Zibanejad,&rdquo; Wennberg says. &ldquo;We were a young team but we really came together.&rdquo;</p><p>Scouts loved Wennberg&rsquo;s work with Djurgarden this year, where he also put a stamp on the team despite his young age. Clearly that adulation carries over to the Blue Jackets&rsquo; managers. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s got real good speed,&rdquo; Davidson says. &ldquo;We know it&rsquo;s going to be a year or two, but the improvement he has shown in the last year in particular has been very strong. A lot of people have spoken very strongly about him and we&rsquo;ve done our research.&rdquo;</p><p>Columbus had more than just the draft to worry about leading up to June 30. Bobrovsky was still a restricted free agent at the time, but with &lsquo;Bob&rsquo; negotiating in good faith, the Jackets went ahead and used all three selections, rather than dealing them, then closed the deal with their netminder soon after. &ldquo;When &lsquo;Bob&rsquo; comes back we have depth in goal,&rdquo; Davidson says. &ldquo;And we have a real good defense; we were good last year defensively. We need help up front and that&rsquo;s not something where you can just go out and knock the ball out of the park. It takes some time to develop. But we look at those three players and they have different looks, but they can all put the puck in the net. We feel good about it.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0017-01

BLUE SKIES AHEAD FOR JACKETS

<div class="byline">BY KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0018-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0018-011935/9963584-1-eng-US/f0018-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(AARON ONTIVEROZ/THE DENVER POST VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>N</span>EWARK, N.J. &ndash;</b> The new face of the Colorado Avalanche, like that of most soon-to-be 18-year-old hockey players, is a little pimply. That will change. The new face of the Colorado Avalanche is quiet and shy. That will change, too. After all, the guy running the place now was so timid he could hardly put a sentence together at that age. The new face of the Colorado Avalanche switched his allegiances once Sidney Crosby entered the NHL in 2005. That, too, of course, will change.</p><p>Not surprisingly, Nathan MacKinnon is a big fan of Crosby. Lots of kids had posters of Crosby all over their bedrooms, but the connection between the two goes far deeper. They grew up eight years apart in almost parallel universes, just blocks from each other in the Halifax, N.S., enclave of Cole Harbour. Like Crosby, MacKinnon had a rare drive and competitive instinct even as a youngster, piling up points and outgrowing the competition before leaving to play at Shattuck-St. Mary&rsquo;s, a prep school and hockey factory in Minnesota. Both starred in the Quebec League and led their teams to the Memorial Cup final. Unlike Crosby, who was shut out against the London Knights in 2005, MacKinnon dominated as a teenager and won the tournament, a performance that definitively tipped the scales in his favor and made him, like Crosby, the No. 1 overall pick in the NHL draft.</p><p>But here&rsquo;s the interesting thing. Before Crosby, MacKinnon idolized his new boss, Joe Sakic. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to lie, I switched to Pittsburgh,&rdquo; MacKinnon says. &ldquo;I hopped on that bandwagon, but for the first part of my life, I was an Avs fan. I switched to Pittsburgh because of how much I liked Sid. I guess he&rsquo;s still my favorite player.&rdquo;</p><p>Nathan MacKinnon was not the first fan to abandon the Avalanche. There were many who jumped ship around the same time he did. Even though there has been a slight uptick in announced attendance the past couple seasons at the Pepsi Center, the halcyon days where the Avs&rsquo; paid attendance of 18,007 was capped by the size of the arena are a distant memory. So is the Avs&rsquo; sellout streak of 487, which started eight games into their first season and ended in 2006, right around the same time things started going south for the team. The Avalanche have been in the bottom five in NHL average attendance three of the past five seasons, hitting rock bottom at just 13,497 per game four seasons ago. This is a franchise that has gone from years of consecutive sellouts to resorting to minor league promotions like $1 hot dogs and two-for-one tickets and still having thousands of empty seats most games.</p><p>And fans aren&rsquo;t the only people who have stopped coming. Once a target for just about every high-priced free agent in the game, Denver is hardly a blip on the screen anymore as the Avs have done things on the cheap. As hard as it is to believe, the Avs are a team struggling for relevance in their own market. Josh Kroenke, who took over the multibillion dollar Kroenke Sports Enterprises empire from his father, Stan, in 2010, has been accused of benign neglect of the Avs, in comparison to his NBA&rsquo;s Nuggets. It&rsquo;s an allegation he strongly refutes and he has recently taken on the presidency of the Avs, in part to help change that perception.</p><p>On the ice, the Avs are hoping MacKinnon and a radical new direction will bring all those Avs fans back into the fold. Like the Chicago Blackhawks, the Avs are convinced there are a lot of people out there who simply need to pull their Avs sweaters from the recesses of their closets. Like Chicago did five years ago, the Avs think they have the makings of a promising team. Their captain, Gabriel Landeskog, is just 20. They have some terrific young talent up front in Matt Duchene and Ryan O&rsquo;Reilly and P-A Parenteau, which will be joined by the dynamic MacKinnon next season. But the real new blood is in the front office, where Avs Hall of Famer Joe Sakic is now heading up the hockey department and is GM in all but title and legendary goalie Patrick Roy is behind the bench, with an enormous amount of input into player personnel decisions. Greg Sherman, the league&rsquo;s most anonymous GM, will go back to doing what he does best, managing the cap and taking the lead on contracts. It&rsquo;s a unique set-up to be sure, since there is not a team in NHL history that has had two different Hall of Fame players running the hockey ops and working behind the bench at the same time.</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0019-011691/9963577-1-eng-US/f0019-012.jpg" title="f0019-01" width="1688" height="1122"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>LEARN FROM THE BEST</b></p><p>Nathan MacKinnon has Hall of Famers Patrick Roy and Joe Sakic aiding his growth.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BRUCE BENNETT/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>It&rsquo;s a unique combination, with Sakic playing the much more laid-back Frick to Roy&rsquo;s hyper-intense Frack. But as different as they are, both have the common bond of having played for the Avs when the franchise was a winner on and off the ice. All the building of the franchise was done in Quebec and by the time it arrived in Denver, it was on the verge of becoming a Stanley Cup champion and a contender for the next decade. &ldquo;Things were so good for so long and all of a sudden you&rsquo;re starting over,&rdquo; says Sakic, whose official job with the Avalanche is executive vice-president of hockey operations. &ldquo;We know what this market is like when the team is exciting and competing. This was a place where players around the league wanted to come and play. And Patrick and I want to bring that back.&rdquo;</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;Early in my life, I was an Avs fan. I switched to Pittsburgh because of how much I liked Sid. He&rsquo;s still my favorite player<br>&ndash; NATHAN MACKINNON</blockquote><p>To do that, the Avalanche will have to start winning hockey games. Because when it comes down to it, the Avs are not unlike a lot of other U.S. markets - it just took a few years to figure it out. When the team is contending and doing well, things look very rosy indeed. But once the team struggles, attendance and revenues drop off, which forces the team to cut its cost, which in turn leads to further and more drastic dips in performance, which leads to people suddenly deciding they don&rsquo;t want to come to the games anymore. But winning likely won&rsquo;t be enough for this fan base. The Avs of old didn&rsquo;t just win, they did it with high-profile performers such as Peter Forsberg, Claude Lemieux, Ray Bourque and Rob Blake.</p><p>The way longtime Avalanche broadcast analyst Peter McNab sees it, the Avalanche have to be more exciting to watch if they want to win people back, because that is what people in Denver have grown accustomed to seeing. If they can&rsquo;t find some excitement with the Avalanche, there are plenty of other places to seek it. &ldquo;We do things in Colorado, we&rsquo;re not watchers,&rdquo; McNab says. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s not necessarily the hockey interest that has been lost, it&rsquo;s that the financial priority has changed. If I have to cut something back, my kids are still going to hockey camps and soccer camps and I&rsquo;m still going skiing. They have got to be relevant again.&rdquo;</p><p>And that was undoubtedly some of the thinking behind drafting MacKinnon with the first overall pick. Because the easy selection for the Avs would have been to take Seth Jones, a hulking defenseman who slid from the No. 1 projected spot to No. 4. Jones is a product of the local minor hockey system, where he played when his father, NBA journeyman &lsquo;Popeye,&rsquo; played for the Nuggets. Had the Avalanche been willing to wait, they would have been rewarded with the big, physical, two-way, right-shot defenseman every organization covets. But it would have taken more time than the Avs have to get better and more exciting. As good as Jones will be, fewer people will pay money to see him than they will MacKinnon if projections on MacKinnon turn out to be correct.</p><p>After being miscast as a fourth-liner with the Canadian world junior team, MacKinnon watched as Jones played a key role on the blueline for the U.S. team that won the gold medal. But in the QMJHL playoffs, MacKinnon performed like a man possessed for one of the most dominant post-season teams the league has ever seen. After scoring 11 goals and 33 points in his league playoffs, MacKinnon added seven goals and 13 points in just four Memorial Cup games, including a dominating three-goal, two-assist performance in the final against Jones&rsquo; Portland Winterhawks. It was a mind-boggling show of dominance by an 18-year-old player (actually, MacKinnon doesn&rsquo;t turn 18 until Sept. 1, about a week before the Avalanche open training camp). Did we mention that Sidney Crosby was shut out by the London Knights when he played in the Memorial Cup at the same age? &ldquo;What we wanted to do was to pick who we thought was the best player in the draft &ndash; the game changer, the one who we felt could become that superstar you can build around for the next 15 years,&rdquo; Sakic says. &ldquo;We just felt Nathan MacKinnon was that guy. We&rsquo;re not going to put pressure on him right away to carry the team, but we know he&rsquo;s a guy who&rsquo;s going to become a goto guy for us.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-bleed"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0020-011688/9963570-1-eng-US/f0020-012.jpg" title="f0020-01" width="1398" height="1175"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>EASY AS 1-2-3</b></p><p>Gabriel Landeskog (No. 2) and Matt Duchene (No. 3) round out a core of three top-three picks.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(MICHAEL MARTIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;We wanted the game changer, the one we felt could become that superstar you can build around for the next 15 years<br>&ndash; JOE SAKIC</blockquote><p>Nobody knows whether MacKinnon or Jones will be the better player from the 2013 draft. Ten years from now, it&rsquo;s possible some kid picked in the sixth round who nobody has ever heard of will emerge as the best of the 211 who were chosen. But the Avs know they have in MacKinnon a player with explosive velocity and an ability to make plays at top speed. Sakic describes MacKinnon as a, &ldquo;humble kid, a shy kid,&rdquo; whose inhibitions melt once he steps on the ice. He goes to the hard areas and does not play a quiet, timid game. He has a great release and was acknowledged to be one of the most complete players in his draft class.</p><p>Remind you of anyone? &ldquo;He&rsquo;s probably not as quiet as I was,&rdquo; Sakic says with a laugh. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll tell you one thing, I wish I could skate the way he does. He&rsquo;s a lot more explosive than I ever was.&rdquo;</p><p>Yeah, but he probably wishes he had Sakic&rsquo;s lethal wrist shot. &ldquo;He shoots the puck pretty good as well,&rdquo; Sakic says.</p><p>There will be some bumps in the road. Sakic knows that himself. He was minus-102 in his first three years in the NHL &ndash; and he came in as a 19-year-old &ndash; albeit on a much, much worse Quebec Nordiques team than the Avalanche is now. If Colorado can get a player who even approaches Sakic&rsquo;s achievements, it&rsquo;ll be reaping the rewards for decades to come. And when you have a center ice corps of Duchene, O&rsquo;Reilly, MacKinnon and Paul Stastny (for the time being), it&rsquo;s a good place to start. &ldquo;We believe in our core, we believe in (Semyon) Varlamov, Landeskog, Duchene, O&rsquo;Reilly,&rdquo; Sakic said. &ldquo;We feel we&rsquo;re going in the right direction.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0018-01

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

<div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><h2><b>DALLAS</b></h2><p class="dropcap"><span>R</span>ookie GM Jim Nill identified a need down the middle and got Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Shawn Horcoff in one day. Sergei Gonchar and Dan Ellis were good pick-ups.</p><h2><b>OTTAWA</b></h2><p>Losing Daniel Alfredsson was a blow, but the Senators recovered nicely by getting Bobby Ryan, who has the potential to be a perennial 30-goal scorer.</p><h2><b>NY ISLANDERS</b></h2><p>They locked up defenseman Travis Hamonic for seven years, re-signed goalie Evgeni Nabokov and took a flyer on the oft-injured Pierre-Marc Bouchard.</p><h2><b>DETROIT</b></h2><p>The Red Wings overpaid, but supplemented their forward ranks in an enormous way by signing Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss. Less pressure for Zetterberg and Datsyuk now.</p><h2><b>PHILADELPHIA</b></h2><p>Could it be possible they&rsquo;ve finally got decent goaltending with Steve Mason and UFA signing Ray Emery? Vincent Lecavalier and Mark Streit came at a high price.</p><h2><b>NASHVILLE</b></h2><p>Riddle us this: is spending $36.4 million on Matt Cullen, Viktor Stalberg, Eric Nystrom and Matt Hendricks going to help a team desperate for scoring create offense?</p><h2><b>CHICAGO</b></h2><p>The Hawks retained Bryan Bickell at a high cost and lost Dave Bolland, Ray Emery, Michael Frolik and Stalberg. Not exactly 2010 all over again, but they have some holes to fill.</p><h2><b>COLUMBUS</b></h2><p>We take this all back if Nathan Horton has seven healthy and productive seasons for the Blue Jackets and is as good for them in the playoffs as he was for Boston. We have our doubts.</p><h2><b>VANCOUVER</b></h2><p>The Canucks were forced to trade their (sort of) No. 1 goalie at the draft, which seemed to please no one, then lost Derek Roy and Max Lapierre and watched from the sidelines.</p><h2><b>BOSTON</b></h2><p>Losing Seguin, Peverley, Andrew Ference, Jaromir Jagr and Anton Khudobin and gaining Loui Eriksson and Jarome Iginla is a loss. A slight one that can be overcome, but a loss.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

OFF-SEASON WINNERS & LOSERS

<div class="byline">BY BRUCE GARRIOCH</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0034-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-011508/9963684-1-eng-US/f0034-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>BILL OF GOODS</b></p><p>Bobby Ryan comes from the Ducks with a skill set that will help boost the Sens&rsquo; offense.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0034-021057/9963691-1-eng-US/f0034-022.jpg" title="f0034-02" width="174" height="171"></div><p><b>BOBBY RYAN COULDN&rsquo;T HIDE</b> his excitement.</p><p>&ldquo;Ottawa&hellip;I&rsquo;m coming in hot,&rdquo; he tweeted minutes after learning he had been dealt to the Senators.</p><p>The Senators had been after Ryan for months. Those who saw the deal go down on the same day as the club watched long-serving captain Daniel Alfredsson walk away as an unrestricted free agent may have thought otherwise, but that simply wasn&rsquo;t the case. He is the perfect fit for the top-six scorer that Ottawa so badly needs. &ldquo;Bobby Ryan can certainly play in the top three&hellip;I think we made out OK,&rdquo; said GM Bryan Murray.</p><p>Senators assistant GM Tim Murray was part of the Anaheim Ducks staff that took Ryan with No. 2 overall selection in 2005 behind Sidney Crosby. The Senators tried to get Ryan last summer. They attempted again at the trade deadline.</p><p>As late as early June, they didn&rsquo;t think acquiring the 26-year-old was realistic. Then they finally found the right combo by giving up Jakob Silfverberg, prospect Stefan Noesen and a No. 1 pick in 2014. &ldquo;I think we got a star in Bobby Ryan,&rdquo; said Murray. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a 30-goal scorer every year. He&rsquo;s a big, strong guy.</p><p>&ldquo;Now he gets a chance to come in as a No. 1 line player on our team. He plays big minutes. He&rsquo;s good around the net with and without the puck.&rdquo;</p><p>Ryan has been dogged by trade rumors in Anaheim for the past couple years. He could see this change coming for a while. The Philadelphia Flyers had also shown interest and at one point there was talk he was headed there for a package that included blueliner Braydon Coburn.</p><p>That never materialized, but all Ryan had to do was look at the payroll in Anaheim to understand his days there were numbered. &ldquo;I can&rsquo;t tell you how happy I am to be past it all,&rdquo; said Ryan. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m just happy I can push the re-start on the whole thing again.&rdquo;</p><p>He did caution Ottawa fans they may want to temper expectations a little bit. The deal was made partially to soften the blow of losing Alfredsson, but Ryan, who&rsquo;s under contract until 2014-15 at a cap hit of $5.1 million, said he isn&rsquo;t going to try to fill those shoes in any way, shape or form: &ldquo;When I first got the call, someone mentioned to me replacing Alfredsson and I thought, &lsquo;Oh, God, how do I step into that role.&rsquo; I don&rsquo;t think Daniel Alfredsson is ever going to be replaced.&rdquo;</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">Replacing Alfie is not going to happen. I&rsquo;m just going to try and play my game<br>&ndash; BOBBY RYAN</blockquote><p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not going to try to do that. What I&rsquo;m going to do is come and play the style of game that I&rsquo;m accustomed to and score some goals. I want to bring my &lsquo;A&rsquo; game every night. I kind of got lucky I&rsquo;m coming in under the radar. Replacing Alfie is not going to happen. What I&rsquo;m going to try to do is just play my game.&rdquo;</p><p>If Ryan can score 30 goals, that will be good enough. Expect him to play on a line with Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza. That should give the club the kind of fit it hasn&rsquo;t had since Dany Heatley demanded a trade. &ldquo;Wherever they are going to put me, I&rsquo;m going to be really happy,&rdquo; said Ryan. &ldquo;Jason Spezza is a highlight reel. You know what he has done in the past.</p><p>&ldquo;If that&rsquo;s the fit they were looking for I am more than happy to stand at the side of the net and watch him work. If that&rsquo;s what the Senators want it will be excellent for me.&rdquo;</p><p>What would be especially excellent for Senators fans is if they knock off Alfredsson and the Red Wings in the playoffs come the spring.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0034-01

SEARCHING FOR BOBBY RYAN

<div class="byline">BY BOB DUFF</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-02997/9963736-1-eng-US/f0035-022.jpg" title="f0035-02" width="968" height="633"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(ALFREDSSON: JANA CHYTILOVA/FREESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-011393/9963743-1-eng-US/f0035-012.jpg" title="f0035-01" width="173" height="171"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>O</span>NE WEEK EARLIER, DANIEL</b> Alfredsson admitted he couldn&rsquo;t have envisioned himself making such a career-altering choice. &ldquo;As we got closer to free agency, thoughts started creeping in that it&rsquo;s been 18 years and I haven&rsquo;t won the Stanley Cup,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s my dream.&rdquo;</p><p>Such is the lure of the Detroit Red Wings. As good as things were getting for the Senators, the 40-year-old Alfredsson, captain of that team since 1999, couldn&rsquo;t envision it getting good enough before his playing days were done. That&rsquo;s why he made the shocking, and what he termed his most difficult career decision, to leave Ottawa, his home since coming to the NHL in 1995, to sign a one-year deal with the Wings ($5.5-million cap hit) for what he hopes will be a Stanley Cup run during what figures to be his farewell NHL season. &ldquo;Everyone knows Detroit&rsquo;s goals are always to be at the top of the game and to win championships,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>For the same reason, center Stephen Weiss abandoned the Florida Panthers to search for his own shot at Lord Stanley&rsquo;s mug, agreeing to a five-year, $24.5-million pact. &ldquo;Coming from Florida, being there for about 10 years and only playing in the playoffs one year, it was a pretty easy decision to come and play for this Red Wings organization that&rsquo;s had the culture of winning over the years,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Their goal every year is to win the Stanley Cup and to come and be a part of that is really exciting.&rdquo;</p><p>Known for his 200-foot game, Weiss, 30, will fill the void at second-line center left by Valtteri Filppula. Alfredsson will skate on the same line as Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg, likely with Pavel Datsyuk in the middle. Zetterberg and Alfredsson were linemates on Sweden&rsquo;s gold-medal winner at the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics.</p><p>Weiss missed all but 17 games last season to wrist surgery, but the Wings believe he can match the 28 goals, a career high, and 60 points from 2009-10, the first of three straight 20-goal campaigns.</p><p>Likewise, the Wings look at Alfredsson&rsquo;s 27-goal output in 2011-12 and his point-a-game production in the 2013 playoffs as an indication the right winger is far from done. &ldquo;We felt we were challenged last year to score some goals,&rdquo; Detroit GM Ken Holland said.</p><p>Awash in uncertainty following last year&rsquo;s retirement of captain Nicklas Lidstrom, Detroit slowly came together. Goalie Jimmy Howard took another step forward, defensemen Jonathan Ericsson and Jakub Kindl established themselves as reliable regulars and NCAA free-agent addition Danny DeKeyser was a late-season revelation.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0035-03825/9963729-1-eng-US/f0035-032.jpg" title="f0035-03" width="971" height="633"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>JUST WING IT</b></p><p>Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss will don the Winged Wheel in 2013-14.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(WEISS: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><blockquote class="pullQuote">Their goal every year is to win the Cup and to come and be a part of that is really exciting<br>&ndash; STEPHEN WEISS</blockquote><p>Several prospects moved up from Detroit&rsquo;s American League Calder Cup-champion farm club in Grand Rapids. Detroit came closest to eliminating the Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, holding a 3-1 series edge before falling in OT of Game 7. &ldquo;We think we&rsquo;ve got a tremendous goaltender who&rsquo;s durable,&rdquo; Holland said. &ldquo;We think our defense is a little bit under the radar, but we have a lot of kids who can skate and pass the puck.</p><p>&ldquo;We wanted to add some forwards. We wanted to add some scoring. We wanted to get deep up front.&rdquo;</p><p>Moving to the Eastern Conference, the Wings will be among the Cup contenders and, in Alfredsson&rsquo;s opinion, closer to completing the journey than the Senators: &ldquo;I feel with Ottawa they&rsquo;re getting closer and closer and going in the right direction and have a really bright future,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But at this point of my career I don&rsquo;t have that kind of time to wait for that.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0035-02

WINNING IS EVERYTHING

<div class="byline">BY RICH CHERE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-02968/9963781-1-eng-US/f0036-022.jpg" title="f0036-02" width="968" height="1300"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>CO-CO BEWARE?</b></p><p>New Devil Cory Schneider once again finds himself in a battle for the No. 1 role.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>A</span>S THE HOSTS OF THE NHL</b> draft, few thought the New Jersey Devils and GM Lou Lamoriello were in position to make much of a splash. They had the ninth overall pick, good enough to get a top prospect, yet not likely to stun those gathered in Newark&rsquo;s Prudential Center.</p></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0036-011409/9963788-1-eng-US/f0036-012.jpg" title="f0036-01" width="175" height="171"></div><p>But Lamoriello had secretly traded the pick to the Canucks for goalie Cory Schneider the night before the draft and he swore Vancouver GM Mike Gillis to secrecy. The announcement of the trade had a far-reaching impact. &ldquo;I found out right as it happened,&rdquo; Schneider said. &ldquo;I got a text from somebody with TSN and he asked if I&rsquo;d heard. I said no. I flipped over to the draft just as they were announcing a trade was being made. So I kind of saw it live.</p><p>&ldquo;I had mixed emotions. I spent nine years in that organization, but at the same time I&rsquo;m excited to move on and join a classy organization like the New Jersey Devils.&rdquo;</p><p>The Devils call Schneider, 27, their goalie of the future and the successor to the 41-year-old Martin Brodeur. But Brodeur has another year left on his contract and may look to play beyond that, so did Schneider&rsquo;s situation actually improve from his time as Roberto Luongo&rsquo;s partner? &ldquo;Marty is still a No. 1 goaltender. No question there,&rdquo; Lamoriello said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a question of how much he can play to keep at the top of his game, with back-to-back games and in the Olympic year coming with what will be a condensed schedule.&rdquo;</p><p>Brodeur said he still considers himself the Devils&rsquo; No. 1: &ldquo;In my mind I am. He&rsquo;s going to have to fight me for it. I&rsquo;ll get as much ice time as I can while I&rsquo;m able to play, but definitely he&rsquo;s the future of the organization. Cory is one of the top five goalies in the NHL in my mind. I&rsquo;m not going to play forever. I know that. It&rsquo;s great I&rsquo;ll be able to play with him. I&rsquo;m definitely going to push him.&rdquo;</p><p>Coach Pete DeBoer, who said he didn&rsquo;t know about the trade until Lamoriello walked down to his end of the table prior to the announcement on draft day, doesn&rsquo;t see a potential goalie controversy. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s a situation that every coach wants,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;You have two great goalies. The bottom line for everybody &ndash; coaches, goaltenders, players &ndash; is we&rsquo;re going to put the best lineup out there to help us win games. That will be the final decision-maker.&rdquo;</p><p>Brodeur has battled injuries in recent years. Last season, Johan Hedberg, who became a compliance buyout after Schneider&rsquo;s acquisition, played 19 games while Brodeur appeared in 29. In 2011-12, Brodeur played 59 games and Hedberg 27.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;Working with the best goalie who every played the game can be nothing but good<br>&ndash; CORY SCHNEIDER</blockquote><p>With two years left on Schneider&rsquo;s contract, the CBA prevents the Devils from signing him to an extension until after next season. By then Schneider will know if the trade was a pleasant surprise or just a change of coasts. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve been a huge fan of Marty Brodeur,&rdquo; Schneider said. &ldquo;I started watching him when he first came into the league. For a guy like me to have played with, first, Roberto Luongo and now to get a chance to play with Marty Brodeur, a lot of goalies would kill for that opportunity to learn from those two guys.</p><p>&ldquo;Working with the best goalie who ever played the game can be nothing but good for me. I&rsquo;m excited to meet him and I&rsquo;ll try to learn as much as I can from him.&rdquo;</p><p>A winning season will ease the new partnership. Otherwise, Schneider might be the one surprising the Devils if he isn&rsquo;t interested in staying long term.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0036-02

SURPRISE! YOU’RE A DEVIL

<div class="byline">BY ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0037-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-011258/9963826-1-eng-US/f0037-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>FLEX PLAN</b></p><p>Vinny Lecavalier&rsquo;s versatility gives the Flyers the freedom to play him at center or wing.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0037-02895/9963833-1-eng-US/f0037-022.jpg" title="f0037-02" width="172" height="170"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>R</span>UMORS OF HIS POTENTIAL</b> buyout by the Tampa Bay Lightning had swirled for weeks, so star center Vincent Lecavalier was less than shocked when the team ate the remaining seven seasons of an 11-year, $85-million contract. But once Lecavalier came to terms with moving on from the only NHL home he had ever known, the veteran and Stanley Cup winner wanted to make a quick decision on where his next place of employment would be.</p><p>More than half of the league lined up to entice Lecavalier to sign as an unrestricted free agent and he and agent Kent Hughes compiled a list of about 10 teams Lecavalier would consider joining. But almost immediately after the Flyers lobbied him, he agreed to a five-year, $22.5-million deal that should keep him in Black and Orange for the remainder of his career. But being bought out and moving on was still a bittersweet moment. &ldquo;It was tough,&rdquo; Lecavalier said. &ldquo;My mom took it pretty hard, my wife as well. We all enjoyed it there.&rdquo;</p><p>Drafted first overall by Tampa Bay in 1998, Lecavalier spent 14 years with the Lightning and in 2004 was key to the team&rsquo;s first Cup victory. His effectiveness has been hampered in recent years, however, due to a number of injuries, including ones to his shoulder, wrist, and, last season, his ankle. He hasn&rsquo;t played more than 65 games in one regular season since the 2009-10 campaign, but remains enough of a force to make teams switch course on their off-season strategy. &ldquo;I was at the Board of Governors meeting when news (of Lecavalier&rsquo;s buyout) came out and we changed our plan right away,&rdquo; Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said. &ldquo;Vinny went right to the top of the list. It worked out in our favor and we couldn&rsquo;t be happier.&rdquo;</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;When you get bought out, it&rsquo;s definitely motivation&hellip; I want to prove the Flyers right<br>&ndash; VINCENT LECAVALIER</blockquote><p>A group consisting of Holmgren, coach Peter Laviolette and president Peter Luukko was the recruiting team for Lecavalier. It didn&rsquo;t take much convincing. &ldquo;I liked Lavvy&rsquo;s point of view on the game and their style of play,&rdquo; Lecavalier said. &ldquo;They play well defensively, but offense is something they can bring. I thought I fit well in that mold.&rdquo;</p><p>Lecavalier will face a number of new challenges in Philadelphia. For starters, he understands he is joining Claude Giroux&rsquo;s team and will defer to the star pivot wherever possible. As well, although some are penciling him in as the team&rsquo;s new No. 2 center behind Giroux, coach Peter Laviolette may decide to slot Lecavalier in on the wing. If that&rsquo;s the case, don&rsquo;t expect any complaining from the 33-year-old, who said he would be happy in any role.</p><p>And don&rsquo;t hold your breath waiting for Lecavalier to rip the Lightning organization or GM Steve Yzerman. The classy Quebec native understands the business side of the game and leaves behind one of his best friends in Martin St-Louis. Lecavalier, who amassed 10 goals and 32 points in 39 games last season, also insists that, after he returned from his ankle injury, he was playing his best hockey in the past five years. Maintaining that career rebound is all he&rsquo;s focused on now. &ldquo;When you get bought out, it&rsquo;s definitely motivation,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;In my case, in talking with Steve, it was the contract structure that would penalize the team if I retired before the contract expired. But I want to prove the Flyers right. It&rsquo;s not about proving anybody else wrong or the Lightning wrong.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0037-01

GOODBYE, BOLTS HELLO, JOLT

<div class="byline">BY PAT HICKEY</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0038-01" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-011367/9963871-1-eng-US/f0038-012.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>PLAYOFF POP</b></p><p>Daniel Briere isn&rsquo;t the biggest, but he typically comes up large during the post-season.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0038-02957/9963878-1-eng-US/f0038-022.jpg" title="f0038-02" width="178" height="172"></div><p><b>DANIEL BRIERE KNOWS HE</b> has a selling job to do after signing a two-year, $8-million contract with the Montreal Canadiens.</p><p>He has to convince the fickle Montreal fans that he wants to wear the <i>Bleu, Blanc et Rouge</i> and that his decision to spurn the Canadiens in 2007 wasn&rsquo;t personal.</p><p>The Canadiens got a head start on free agency when they reached an agreement with Briere, who was bought out by the Flyers, on July 4. It&rsquo;s safe to say he wasn&rsquo;t at the top of the fans&rsquo; wish lists. GM Marc Bergevin is on record as saying he wanted to add some size to a core roster dominated by small, skilled players and the 5-foot-10 Briere doesn&rsquo;t fit that description.</p><p>Bergevin whet the fans&rsquo; appetite on draft day when he said the Canadiens were pursuing Vincent Lecavalier, a Montreal-area native who stands 6-foot-4. The Canadiens&rsquo; only chance of signing Lecavalier depended on the player having a desire to come home. That wasn&rsquo;t the case as he accepted a deal worth $4.5 million a season from the Philadelphia Flyers. The Canadiens were willing to match the money, but they wouldn&rsquo;t go more than two seasons.</p><p>With Lecavalier locked up, the Canadiens turned their attention to Briere. Bergevin insisted the veteran wasn&rsquo;t a consolation prize. &ldquo;We were talking to both players all along,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Because you never know how things are going to turn out.&rdquo;</p><p>Briere&rsquo;s size isn&rsquo;t the only concern among fans. There&rsquo;s his age &ndash; he turns 36 on Oct. 6 &ndash; his declining production over the past three seasons and those negotiations back in 2007 when he became an unrestricted free agent. The Habs made a pitch for him at that time but he signed an eight-year, $52-million deal with the Flyers.</p><p>Briere became <i>persona non grata</i> in Montreal and he was booed whenever he touched the puck on his visits to the Bell Centre. But that hostile reception may prove valuable as Briere copes with the pressure of being a francophone playing in Montreal.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;I&rsquo;m going to do everything in my power to turn that around<br>&ndash; DANIEL BRIERE</blockquote><p>After his signing, Briere praised Montreal&rsquo;s &ldquo;passionate&rdquo; fans and said he hoped everyone would be &ldquo;cheering in the same direction.&rdquo;</p><p>The best way for that to happen is for the veteran to put up some points. He&rsquo;s confident he can do that. &ldquo;I am definitely looking forward to bouncing back,&rdquo; said Briere, who had six goals and 16 points in 34 games during a season marred by a wrist injury and a concussion. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve done that my whole life. My whole career it&rsquo;s always been about finding the motivation to bounce back. Coming to Montreal makes it really easy. First of all, having the chance to play for the Canadiens. There is no better motivation than that. I wasn&rsquo;t happy with the way things went (this season) and I&rsquo;m going to do everything in my power to turn that around.&rdquo;</p><p>When Bergevin was questioned about size, he said he doesn&rsquo;t have tunnel vision and he reached out to Briere because he&rsquo;s a leader who has scored in the playoffs.</p><p>Bergevin said the Canadiens&rsquo; loss to Ottawa in the playoffs signaled the need for change, noting: &ldquo;There are players who get you to the playoffs and players who get you through the playoffs.&rdquo;</p><p>Briere has 50 goals and 109 points in 108 post-season games.</p><p>He played center most of his career before moving to right wing the past two seasons. &ldquo;I have no problem playing center or on the wing,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I want to play where (coach Michel Therrien) thinks it will help the team the most.&rdquo;<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0038-01

BLEU, BLANC ET REDEMPTION

<div class="byline">BY MICHAEL TRAIKOS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-02852/9963923-1-eng-US/f0039-022.jpg" title="f0039-02" width="971" height="758"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CLARKSON: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-011252/9963930-1-eng-US/f0039-012.jpg" title="f0039-01" width="178" height="172"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HAT DO YOU CALL A</b> player who hits, fights and scores, gets under the other team&rsquo;s skin and comes back to the bench dripping with sweat &ndash; and sometimes blood? If you answered the type of player coach Randy Carlyle loves, you would be correct. In other words, David Bolland and David Clarkson. &ldquo;I can tell you that Randy is very happy,&rdquo; said Toronto Maple Leafs GM Dave Nonis.</p><p>Carlyle&rsquo;s happiness seemed to be the focal point this summer. After a year in which players were miscast in defensive roles (see: Grabovski, Mikhail), benched (see: MacArthur, Clarke) or dumped in the minors (see: Connolly, Tim and Komisarek, Mike), Nonis found replacements that got the coach&rsquo;s seal of approval.</p><p>Less than a week after Bolland scored the Stanley Cup clinching goal, Toronto poached Chicago&rsquo;s third-line center for a second- and two fourth-round draft picks. The Leafs then bought out Grabovski and used the $5.5-million in cap space to sign Clarkson to a seven-year deal worth $36.75 million ($5.25 million per).</p><p>The two Davids, along with bringing back the &lsquo;Winnipeg Blue Bombers&rsquo; (fourth-line enforcers Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren), should up the physical ante of a team that led the league in fighting majors. The only question is whether the increased belligerence and pugnacity &ndash; to steal a couple of words from former GM Brian Burke &ndash; can make up for the loss in speed and skill. &ldquo;The good news for me is it&rsquo;s not my problem anymore,&rdquo; Nonis said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s up to Randy&hellip;I can tell you our coach is happy with the option we have in a lot of areas.&rdquo;</p><p>Clarkson, 29, led the Devils with 15 goals last season and scored 30 goals and 46 points in 2011-12. He also &ldquo;ran around wearing a Wendel Clark jersey&rdquo; as a kid and averaged 127 penalty minutes during the past six years.</p><p>Bolland, 27, fully embraces the role of the rat and should replace KHL-bound Leo Komarov in the shift-disturbing department. Either way, Carlyle won&rsquo;t have to twist anyone&rsquo;s arms if the game calls for an opponent&rsquo;s arm to be twisted. &ldquo;Last year, I think we did a good job of having players play outside of their comfort zone and having certain guys do things that didn&rsquo;t come natural to them,&rdquo; Nonis said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s easier to do that when you have players that relish those roles and that style of play, so I think it&rsquo;s more of the group that we were looking for.&rdquo;</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">In my heart Toronto is where I wanted to be. Every game I&rsquo;m going to put my hard hat on<br>&ndash; DAVID CLARKSON</blockquote><p>Previously, only James van Riemsdyk had played in the Stanley Cup final and the majority of the team had limited playoff experience. That lack of experience became apparent in the Game 7 meltdown against the Boston Bruins where the Leafs blew a 4-1 lead with just more than 10 minutes left.</p><p>The 27-year-old Bolland has won two Cups in the past four years, while the 29-year-old Clarkson reached the final in 2012.</p><p>Both believe the Leafs, who had the second-youngest NHL roster last season, are on the same path to success. &ldquo;This is one team like the Blackhawks team that&rsquo;s coming up and is going to do great things,&rdquo; Bolland said.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0039-03672/9963916-1-eng-US/f0039-032.jpg" title="f0039-03" width="528" height="800"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>SEE THE NEW DEEP BLUE</b></p><p>David Clarkson and David Bolland bring playoff pedigree to a Leafs team that lacks it.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(BOLLAND: DAVE SANDFORD/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>While Bolland was sad to leave Chicago, the native of Toronto&rsquo;s Mimico neighborhood was excited to come to &ldquo;where my hockey career began.&rdquo; Clarkson, also from Mimico, reportedly took less money to presumably end his career in Toronto. &ldquo;At the end of the day, in my heart this is where I wanted to be,&rdquo; Clarkson said. &ldquo;Every game I&rsquo;m going to put my hard hat on.&rdquo;</p><p>Somewhere, Randy Carlyle was smiling.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0039-02

WELCOME TO THE BOOMTOWN

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MIKE LOFTUS</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-01962/9964045-1-eng-US/f0040-012.jpg" title="f0040-01" width="931" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-02633/9964038-1-eng-US/f0040-022.jpg" title="f0040-02" width="599" height="595"><figcaption class="caption-body">JAROME <b>IGINLA</b> <span class="photo-credit">(IGINLA: JANA CHYTILOVA/FREESTYLE PHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>I</span>T WASN&rsquo;T LIKE JAROME IGINLA SAID HE&rsquo;D</b> never play for the Bruins or the Bruins said they&rsquo;d never again consider adding him. Still, in light of Iginla rejecting a trade to the Bruins on March 27 and steering himself instead to rival Pittsburgh, nobody expected Iginla to land in Boston via free agency.</p><p>That includes Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli. &ldquo;Actually, Jarome&rsquo;s representative (Don Meehan) contacted us and said he&rsquo;d be interesting in talking,&rdquo; said Chiarelli, who was pursuing Daniel Alfredsson the night before the free agent market opened. &ldquo;It certainly piqued my interest, as Jarome was a player we tried to get at the trade deadline, as you are all aware.&rdquo;</p><p>Who wasn&rsquo;t? Chiarelli was so unhappy the deal with Calgary fell through, he held a press conference the next day to detail Boston&rsquo;s side of the bizarre story. A few months later, though, the B&rsquo;s had swept Iginla&rsquo;s Pens in the Eastern final, then watched four right wingers (Nathan Horton, Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley and Jaromir Jagr) depart via trade or free agency. Iginla needed a job and the Bruins needed scoring and leadership.</p><p>Iginla, although 36, played all 82 games five straight years before lockout-shortened 2013, and had scored at least 31 goals for 11 straight seasons &ndash; totals Horton and Seguin have never hit. Iginla figures to replace Horton on a line with Milan Lucic and David Krejci. &ldquo;I wasn&rsquo;t sure how (Chiarelli) felt or the Bruins felt about possibly having me,&rdquo; said Iginla, who signed a one-year contract with a $1.8 million base salary. &ldquo;I&rsquo;m thrilled there was a chance.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-03491/9964031-1-eng-US/f0040-032.jpg" title="f0040-03" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-04392/9964024-1-eng-US/f0040-042.jpg" title="f0040-04" width="328" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(SILFVERBERG: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Jakob Silfverberg</b>, the centerpiece in the Bobby Ryan trade, is a winger with size and skill who can also contribute on the power play. He&rsquo;s not as accomplished as Ryan, but the 22-year-old is NHL-ready. Stefan Noesen will turn pro next season after an excellent junior career with the Ontario League&rsquo;s Plymouth Whalers.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-05335/9964017-1-eng-US/f0040-052.jpg" title="f0040-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-06296/9964010-1-eng-US/f0040-062.jpg" title="f0040-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JOHNSON: MARK BUCKNER/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Bruins obviously have a lot of faith in Tuukka Rask. This season, they went with an NHL-unproven Anton Khudobin as Rask&rsquo;s backup and after Khudobin left as a free agent they signed <b>Chad Johnson</b>, who has played has played just 10 NHL games. Johnson, 27, was very good for the Coyotes in 2013, going 2-0-2 with a .954 SP.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-07257/9964003-1-eng-US/f0040-072.jpg" title="f0040-07" width="753" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-08223/9963996-1-eng-US/f0040-082.jpg" title="f0040-08" width="328" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TALLINDER: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Tyler Myers hasn&rsquo;t been the same since <b>Henrik Tallinder</b> left the Sabres as a free agent three years ago. Of course, Tallinder hasn&rsquo;t either. Both will have a chance to recapture past glory after the 34-year-old Tallinder was dealt back to the Sabres from New Jersey in exchange for fringe prospect Riley Boychuk.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-09166/9963989-1-eng-US/f0040-092.jpg" title="f0040-09" width="753" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-10151/9963982-1-eng-US/f0040-102.jpg" title="f0040-10" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(RAMO: MAKS SHIROKOV)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Flames may end up being bad, but at least they finally admitted to a rebuild. Their early signings were not on the showy side, headlined by <b>Karri Ramo</b> in net, Kris Russell on &lsquo;D&rsquo; and David Jones up front. Ramo has been tearing it up in the KHL for the past four seasons, but prior to that he was sub-par as an NHLer with Tampa.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-11132/9963975-1-eng-US/f0040-112.jpg" title="f0040-11" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0040-12121/9963968-1-eng-US/f0040-122.jpg" title="f0040-12" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KHUDOBIN: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Hurricanes ran into trouble when starter Cam Ward went down, so they upgraded the No. 2 spot by signing the intriguing <b>Anton Khudobin</b>. Khudobin&rsquo;s 14 games in 2012-13 represented a career high, so he&rsquo;s relatively untested in the NHL. Still, he carried a .920 SP and hasn&rsquo;t had a SP lower than .911 in any league the past three years.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0040-01

A SECOND CHANCE TO B

<div class="byline">&#x2013; AARON PORTZLINE</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-01838/9964160-1-eng-US/f0041-012.jpg" title="f0041-01" width="928" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-02559/9964153-1-eng-US/f0041-022.jpg" title="f0041-02" width="657" height="560"><figcaption class="caption-body">NATHAN <b>HORTON</b> <span class="photo-credit">(HORTON: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>WO TRIPS TO THE STANLEY CUP IN</b> three years &ndash; including a victory in 2011 &ndash; wasn&rsquo;t enough to make Nathan Horton want to stay with the Boston Bruins: It was time for a change. &ldquo;I had a great time, played for great fans, played with great guys,&rdquo; Horton said. &ldquo;But I have a family (two sons) and I want something a little quieter, maybe a house with a yard or something.&rdquo;</p><p>The Columbus Blue Jackets&rsquo; ears perked up when, a few days after the Bruins lost to Chicago in this year&rsquo;s final, it was made public that Horton wouldn&rsquo;t be back in Beantown. The team went into hyperdrive sales mode when it was learned the 28-year-old was looking for a different lifestyle.</p><p>Horton, a six-time 20-goal man who was on pace for 24 last year with 13 in 43 games, signed a seven-year, $37.1 million contract &ndash; a $5.3-million cap hit &ndash; only an hour into free agency after more than two days of courting.</p><p>As soon as he&rsquo;s recovered from shoulder surgery &ndash; it could be December or January &ndash; he&rsquo;ll play as the No. 2 right winger behind Marian Gaborik. &ldquo;We wanted a player who could score goals, but also fit into our style of play,&rdquo; said GM Jarmo Kekalainen. &ldquo;Nathan is very much that. Big and tough and driven to get to the net with the puck. He&rsquo;s one of the best in the league at it.&rdquo;</p><p>A guy who leaves an annual Cup contender for the &ldquo;quiet&rdquo; of Ohio might be seen as ready to coast, but the team isn&rsquo;t concerned. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen him play for too long,&rdquo; Kekalainen said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s too competitive for that.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-03455/9964146-1-eng-US/f0041-032.jpg" title="f0041-03" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-04394/9964139-1-eng-US/f0041-042.jpg" title="f0041-04" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(KHABIBULIN: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>To the victors go the spoils, but in this case the salary cap spoiled a lot of Chicago&rsquo;s Cup party as it was forced to part with several players. The one new face is an old one, <b>Nikolai Khabibulin</b>. The 40-year-old last played for the Hawks in 2008-09 and will be an insurance policy/backup, depending on rookie Antti Raanta&rsquo;s play.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-05355/9964132-1-eng-US/f0041-052.jpg" title="f0041-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-06309/9964125-1-eng-US/f0041-062.jpg" title="f0041-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TANGUAY: GERRY THOMAS/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Avs have youth in spades with No. 1 pick Nathan MacKinnon joining under-23s Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene and Ryan O&rsquo;Reilly. But the kids will need guidance and that brought old hand <b>Alex Tanguay</b> back into the fold via trade. Tanguay won a Cup in Colorado with new coach Patrick Roy and had put up decent numbers in Calgary.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-07266/9964118-1-eng-US/f0041-072.jpg" title="f0041-07" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-08209/9964111-1-eng-US/f0041-082.jpg" title="f0041-08" width="326" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MURRAY: CHRISTOPHER MAST/CHRISTOPHER MAST IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>New addition Nathan Horton will start the year on the shelf due to shoulder surgery. Coincidentally, <b>Ryan Murray</b> will get a chance to crack the roster after he missed most of last season due to his own shoulder issue. The second overall pick in 2012 is a tremendous skater who has often played internationally for Canada as an underager.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-09157/9964104-1-eng-US/f0041-092.jpg" title="f0041-09" width="753" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-10127/9964097-1-eng-US/f0041-102.jpg" title="f0041-10" width="326" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(HORCOFF: PERRY NELSON/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>New GM Jim Nill grabbed a player he was familiar with when he traded for <b>Shawn Horcoff</b>. The former Oilers captain knew Nill from Canada&rsquo;s World Championship team and because both lived in the Detroit area in the summer. Horcoff brings two-way play and leadership to a team that lost its captain when Brenden Morrow was dealt.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-1456/9964090-1-eng-US/f0041-142.jpg" title="f0041-14" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0041-11104/9964083-1-eng-US/f0041-112.jpg" title="f0041-11" width="326" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TATAR: DAVE REGINEK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Tomas Tatar</b> has just 27 NHL games to his credit at age 22, but his play with Grand Rapids this season helped the Griffins to their first ever Calder Cup. The Slovakian tallied 16 goals and 21 points in 24 playoff games, meaning he <i>might</i> be good enough for NHL spot duty on a team renowned for developing its prospects slowly.</p><p><b><i>RED</i></b>&nbsp;<i>INDICATES NEW ARRIVALS</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0041-01

A QUEST FOR QUIET

<div class="byline">&#x2013; ROB TYCHKOWSKI</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-01892/9964275-1-eng-US/f0042-012.jpg" title="f0042-01" width="931" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-02588/9964268-1-eng-US/f0042-022.jpg" title="f0042-02" width="599" height="597"><figcaption class="caption-body">ANDREW <b>FERENCE</b></figcaption></div><p><b>ANDREW FERENCE SAYS IT&rsquo;S NICE TO</b> be coming home, especially now that the place isn&rsquo;t such a mess.</p><p>There&rsquo;s still a lot of work left to be done before the Edmonton Oilers are legitimate again, but Ference is glad to be part of the cleanup effort. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a factor, being comfortable in the city, knowing the situation my kids will be in, knowing my wife was born there, but that&rsquo;s just a part of it,&rdquo; said the 34-year-old defenseman, who signed a four-year, $13-million deal. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s one thing to go back where you lived, but it&rsquo;s about hockey and being successful. Everybody knows the talent they have and that was definitely a selling point. I want to be a cog that can help push us over that hump.&rdquo;</p><p>The hump is seven years and counting, but Ference, a gritty, character guy who played top-four minutes with the Bruins, believes he can make a significant difference. He knows what it takes to win and wants to impart some of that wisdom on a team that doesn&rsquo;t.</p><p>It starts with leading by example, which should come easily to a man who&rsquo;s logged 120 career playoff games and made three trips to the Stanley Cup final and owns a ring from 2011. &ldquo;You have to play well on the ice,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s one thing to have experience and a good attitude, but the No. 1 thing is for me to play extremely hard on the blueline and be a tough competitor.&rdquo;</p><p>The talent is already in place for the Oilers, so what will bring the wins? Ference knows: &ldquo;It&rsquo;s just a matter of those right little details in the room and on the ice.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-03464/9964261-1-eng-US/f0042-032.jpg" title="f0042-03" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-04374/9964254-1-eng-US/f0042-042.jpg" title="f0042-04" width="328" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GORDON: PERRY NELSON/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Newly minted GM Craig MacTavish dove into free agency with a measured plan and the Oilers will be better because of it. It was time for grit and responsibility and Andrew Ference brings both on the back end, while <b>Boyd Gordon</b> will be a great fit as a shutdown center. Gordon is an ace in the faceoff circle and a tireless penalty-killer.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-05317/9964247-1-eng-US/f0042-052.jpg" title="f0042-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-06281/9964240-1-eng-US/f0042-062.jpg" title="f0042-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BARKOV: YURY KUZMIN/KHL PHOTO AGENCY VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The surprise of the draft came when Florida elected to go with Finland&rsquo;s <b>Aleksander Barkov</b> at No. 2 over Seth Jones. But don&rsquo;t sleep on Barkov, who&rsquo;s already played two years in his home country&rsquo;s top pro league. He also became the youngest Finn to play (and score) for his country at the world juniors as a 16-year-old. He&rsquo;s ready to step in.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-07238/9964233-1-eng-US/f0042-072.jpg" title="f0042-07" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-08184/9964226-1-eng-US/f0042-082.jpg" title="f0042-08" width="328" height="505"></div><p>When Rob Scuderi left the Kings to head back to Pittsburgh this summer, it left a sizeable hole on the Kings blueline. That&rsquo;s where free agent <b>Jeff Schultz</b> comes in. The former Caps rearguard brings big mass and stay-at-home depth to a team that had problems when Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene were both out of the lineup.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-09146/9964219-1-eng-US/f0042-092.jpg" title="f0042-09" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-10120/9964212-1-eng-US/f0042-102.jpg" title="f0042-10" width="327" height="503"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(FERENCE+SCHULTZ+NIEDERREITER: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>After starring last summer, the Wild took a step back in 2013. A couple reclamation projects hold intrigue, however: <b>Nino Niederreiter</b> went fifth overall in 2010, but never meshed with the Islanders. The Swiss youngster still has great size and skill to work with. Meanwhile, Keith Ballard is looking for a do-over after disappointing in Vancouver.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-1191/9964205-1-eng-US/f0042-112.jpg" title="f0042-11" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0042-1278/9964198-1-eng-US/f0042-122.jpg" title="f0042-12" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(PARROS: TRAVIS GOLBY/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Not long after being dealt to Montreal, <b>George Parros</b> began using the Canadiens logo with a moustache on it as his Twitter banner. Opponents of the Canadiens will have to beware the &rsquo;stache, but the player most excited about the acquisition is likely Travis Moen, a middleweight who was having to do the work of a heavyweight.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0042-01

WHERE THE HEART IS

<div class="byline">&#x2013; DAVID BOCLAIR</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-01868/9964390-1-eng-US/f0043-012.jpg" title="f0043-01" width="931" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-02610/9964383-1-eng-US/f0043-022.jpg" title="f0043-02" width="599" height="568"><figcaption class="caption-body">MATT <b>CULLEN</b></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><span>W</span><b>HEN MATT CULLEN SIGNED WITH</b> the Minnesota Wild three years ago, it seemed everything was set for the curtain come down on an NHL career that began in 1997.</p><p>He was, after all, headed to the state where he was born (Virginia, Minn.) and played two years of college hockey (St. Cloud State). Plus, he was 33.</p><p>Instead the Nashville Predators asked for an encore. And the role they offered the 36-year-old was hardly a bit part. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re going to get some really good offensive play out of Matt Cullen,&rdquo; said GM David Poile.</p><p>The Western Conference&rsquo;s worst offensive team last season missed out on the elite forwards in the draft and instead &ldquo;settled&rdquo; for defenseman Seth Jones with the fourth overall pick. So on the first day of free agency, they signed four veteran forwards including Cullen, who agreed to a two-year, $7-million deal. The idea was he would play in the middle of the top two lines. &ldquo;We recognize the value of the center ice position and we know we have to get better offensively to compete in the West,&rdquo; coach Barry Trotz said.</p><p>Cullen had seven goals and 27 points in 42 games in 2013. That 0.64 points per game was by far his best since a career-high 49 points in 59 games (0.83) for the Carolina Hurricanes in 2007-08. &ldquo;Originally I probably felt as though (Minnesota) would be where I&rsquo;d end my career,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;But last year was actually probably my best year in a long time&hellip;I&rsquo;m looking forward to two strong years in Nashville.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-03507/9964376-1-eng-US/f0043-032.jpg" title="f0043-03" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-04387/9964369-1-eng-US/f0043-042.jpg" title="f0043-04" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(STALBERG: PERRY NELSON/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Stanley Cup experience is a plus, but that&rsquo;s only part of what UFA signing <b>Viktor Stalberg</b> brings. The former Blackhawk is speedy for a big man and can chip in offensively. Nashville GM David Poile admitted at the draft his team needed to replace Martin Erat&rsquo;s offense after the winger was traded to Washington at the deadline.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-05339/9964362-1-eng-US/f0043-052.jpg" title="f0043-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-06282/9964355-1-eng-US/f0043-062.jpg" title="f0043-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CLOWE: GRAIG ABEL/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Ryane Clowe</b> will serve as the replacement for David Clarkson. The longtime Shark and short-term Ranger infamously struggled to score this season, but brings an intimidating frame and the bruising game to back it up. Before limping to three goals in 2013, Clowe was good for about 20 per season and had decent playoff totals.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-07240/9964348-1-eng-US/f0043-072.jpg" title="f0043-07" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-08188/9964341-1-eng-US/f0043-082.jpg" title="f0043-08" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(CULLEN+BOUCHARD: ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>In the past, the Isles were vexed by losing more than they gained when it came to personnel. And though D-man and captain Mark Streit leaves a big hole, the forward corps got stronger with the addition of <b>Pierre-Marc Bouchard</b>. Concussions hurt his time in Minnesota, but the advanced playmaker joins a stable of offensively gifted players.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-09141/9964334-1-eng-US/f0043-092.jpg" title="f0043-09" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-10125/9964327-1-eng-US/f0043-102.jpg" title="f0043-10" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(POULIOT: ANDRE RINGUETTE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The fourth overall pick in 2005 (aka &lsquo;The Crosby Draft&rsquo;), <b>Benoit Pouliot</b> has struggled to cement his place, having already played on four NHL teams before signing on with the Blueshirts. But the big winger has been good in spurts and with new coach Alain Vigneault at the helm, there is hope for offensive redemption up and down the lineup.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-11107/9964320-1-eng-US/f0043-112.jpg" title="f0043-11" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0043-1295/9964313-1-eng-US/f0043-122.jpg" title="f0043-12" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MACARTHUR: CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>Clarke MacArthur</b> becomes just the 18th player in NHL history to play on both sides of the Battle of Ontario since the Senators rejoined the NHL in 1992. And at 28, he&rsquo;s got more to give than any of the previous 17. Just one year removed from back-to-back 20-goal seasons, MacArthur tumbled down Toronto&rsquo;s depth chart this season.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0043-01

SHOW ON THE ROAD

<div class="byline">&#x2013; JEREMY RUTHERFORD</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-01771/9964505-1-eng-US/f0044-012.jpg" title="f0044-01" width="931" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-02505/9964498-1-eng-US/f0044-022.jpg" title="f0044-02" width="599" height="596"><figcaption class="caption-body">DEREK <b>ROY</b> <span class="photo-credit">(ROY: JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HE BLUES HAVE ALWAYS LIKED THE</b> size of their top two centers, David Backes and Patrik Berglund, who are each about 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds. Being big up the middle and playing physically has helped the club compete in the weighty West.</p><p>But for years, the Blues have lacked a playmaking center. That is why they signed Derek Roy to a one-year, $4-million contract. At 5-foot-9 and 185 pounds, Roy goes against the Blues&rsquo; long-standing philosophy, but the nine-year veteran is exactly what the team needs. &ldquo;I try to move the puck as much as I can, try to utilize my wingers,&rdquo; said Roy. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ve got tremendous skill on the front end and on the back end, so we&rsquo;ll move the puck out of our zone early and get a chance to score and make plays and it&rsquo;ll be an exciting team.&rdquo;</p><p>Roy had four straight seasons of 40-plus assists with Buffalo before injuries slowed him. He endured multiple shoulder separations in 2011-12 and was traded to Dallas, which insisted he have surgery. Roy didn&rsquo;t miss any games because of the lockout, but after 30 games the Stars dealt him to Vancouver. He combined for 28 points in 42 games.</p><p>Roy, 30, was not among the highly sought-after free agent centers. The Blues first targeted Stephen Weiss and Valtteri Fippula, but they believe they found a bargain in Roy. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s a playmaking centerman,&rdquo; GM Doug Armstrong said. &ldquo;I think it&rsquo;s a great opportunity for Derek to re-establish himself as a player he believes he can be and we believe he can be.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-03384/9964491-1-eng-US/f0044-032.jpg" title="f0044-03" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-04303/9964484-1-eng-US/f0044-042.jpg" title="f0044-04" width="328" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(EMERY: PERRY NELSON/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Once again the Flyers were eager and active participants in the NHL&rsquo;s silly season, but signing <b>Ray Emery</b> to a oneyear deal allows the goalie to once again prove himself, even though the veteran is coming off a 17-1-0 record. He&rsquo;ll push Steve Mason for starts and already knows the town from his first go-around in Philly in 2009-10.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-05254/9964477-1-eng-US/f0044-052.jpg" title="f0044-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-06224/9964470-1-eng-US/f0044-062.jpg" title="f0044-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DOMI: CLAUS ANDERSEN/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Thanks to drafting <b>Max Domi</b> in the first round and Brendan Burke in the sixth, Phoenix had four sons of NHLers at its prospect camp, rounded out by Connor Murphy and Henrik Samuelsson. A golfing foursome of Tie, Sean, Gord and Ulf is intriguing &ndash; though Sean might be busy as the team&rsquo;s goalie coach and assistant to the GM.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-07192/9964463-1-eng-US/f0044-072.jpg" title="f0044-07" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-08146/9964456-1-eng-US/f0044-082.jpg" title="f0044-08" width="328" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(SCUDERI: BILL SMITH/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The past two playoffs have ended in horror shows, so perhaps GM Ray Shero was thinking back to the good ol&rsquo; days when he coaxed <b>Rob Scuderi</b> back from L.A. Scuderi was a key member of the 2009 Cup winners, made famous by his Game 6 kick-save in the crease against Detroit. The 34-year-old D-man brings a nice helping of stability.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-09106/9964449-1-eng-US/f0044-092.jpg" title="f0044-09" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-1092/9964442-1-eng-US/f0044-102.jpg" title="f0044-10" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(LAPIERRE: DEREK LEUNG/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Not that anyone enjoyed playing coach Ken Hitchcock&rsquo;s Blues in the first place, but St. Louis added another layer of grit and grime in landing <b>Maxim Lapierre</b> via free agency. The supreme agitator, who made his nasty name in Vancouver, will bring bottom-six nastiness to a forward corps already filled with both skill and physicality.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-1178/9964435-1-eng-US/f0044-112.jpg" title="f0044-11" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0044-1269/9964428-1-eng-US/f0044-122.jpg" title="f0044-12" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(HERTL: RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Sharks stayed out of the free agency pool, but 2012 first-rounder <b>Tomas Hertl</b> is worth watching. Hertl was mature enough to play for his homeland at the world championship and ended his Czech League season strong with eight points in 11 playoff games. At 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, the 19-year-old center is already man-sized.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0044-01

SMALL FRAME, BIG IDEAS

<div class="byline">&#x2013; DAMIAN CRISTODERO</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-01677/9964620-1-eng-US/f0045-012.jpg" title="f0045-01" width="931" height="167"></div><div class="container"><div class="figure-block image-float"><img src="mon022.jpg" title="common02" width="69" height="80"></div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-02459/9964613-1-eng-US/f0045-022.jpg" title="f0045-02" width="599" height="563"><figcaption class="caption-body">VALTTERI <b>FILPPULA</b> <span class="photo-credit">(FILPPULA: ABELIMAGES/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>L</span>IGHTNING GM STEVE YZERMAN SAID</b> Valtteri Filppula was not signed to replace Vinny Lecavalier &ndash; &ldquo;They&rsquo;re two different players,&rdquo; he said &ndash; but it was difficult not to connect those dots after Filppula was inked to a five-year, $25 million free-agent contract &ndash; a $5 million cap hit &ndash; to take the No. 2 center spot that opened when Lecavalier was bought out.</p><p>Even Filppula said he understands comparisons are inevitable and he knows he&rsquo;s stepping into some pretty big shoes: &ldquo;I hope I can be that guy.&rdquo;</p><p>Yzerman had discussions with other, older, free agents he would have tried to sign to shorter contracts had a Filppula deal not worked out. But the former Red Wing always was Yzerman&rsquo;s first choice.</p><p>Filppula had a sub-par 2012-13 (nine goals and 17 points in 41 games), but he was off skates for two months leading up to training camp because of a sprained right knee sustained in his native Finland during the lockout, plus a shoulder injury sidelined him for seven games. &ldquo;But during the end, even though the stats never really came, I felt I was playing better,&rdquo; Filppula said.</p><p>Yzerman, who watched Filppula up-close for four years as part of the Wings management team, believes better indicators of what Filppula can do are the 23 goals and 66 points he had in 2011-12. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s just a well-rounded player,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;We didn&rsquo;t just sign him for point production. Our team can score goals. I like the rest of his game. He&rsquo;s good defensively, he&rsquo;s good on faceoffs and a good skater. He really fits what we&rsquo;re trying to do here.&rdquo;</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-03390/9964606-1-eng-US/f0045-032.jpg" title="f0045-03" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-04331/9964599-1-eng-US/f0045-042.jpg" title="f0045-04" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(DROUIN: RICHARD WOLOWICZ/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>From the moment Tampa was locked in at the No. 3 draft slot, <b>Jonathan Drouin</b> was considered a perfect match. The Quebec League star, who outscored teammate Nathan MacKinnon, is pencilled in alongside Steven Stamkos. Though Drouin may not start his career at that spot in the lineup, it would be a surprise to see him back in junior.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-05286/9964592-1-eng-US/f0045-052.jpg" title="f0045-05" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-06252/9964585-1-eng-US/f0045-062.jpg" title="f0045-06" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(BERNIER: DEREK LEUNG/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>If <b>Jonathan Bernier</b> fails to wrest the No. 1 spot from James Reimer next season, he will be one of the league&rsquo;s best-paid backups at $2.9 million. After picking splinters for much of his career in L.A., Bernier is not planning on that happening. It will make for a spirited battle between two young and in many ways unproven goalies.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-07220/9964578-1-eng-US/f0045-072.jpg" title="f0045-07" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-08147/9964571-1-eng-US/f0045-082.jpg" title="f0045-08" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(WEBER: FRANCOIS LACASSE/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Vancouver&rsquo;s big move was moving Cory Schneider for Bo Horvat, so the Canucks&rsquo; return is future-based. For UFAs, they added only Brad Richardson, Mike Santorelli and <b>Yannick Weber</b>. Weber, whose campaign with Montreal was marred by injury and healthy scratches, does possess a booming shot, but strength can be an issue.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-09107/9964564-1-eng-US/f0045-092.jpg" title="f0045-09" width="752" height="596"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-1087/9964557-1-eng-US/f0045-102.jpg" title="f0045-10" width="327" height="505"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(WILSON: GREG FIUME/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>It&rsquo;s not clear if there&rsquo;s room for a banger like <b>Tom Wilson</b> (16th overall in &rsquo;12) on the roster since it is already filled with a number of checkers and veteran depth-liners. But Wilson did earn a three-game playoff call-up when the Caps were dealing with injuries. He brings an intense, forceful presence. He&rsquo;ll be given a long look in camp.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-1172/9964550-1-eng-US/f0045-112.jpg" title="f0045-11" width="752" height="597"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0045-1261/9964543-1-eng-US/f0045-122.jpg" title="f0045-12" width="327" height="506"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(SETOGUCHI: ANDY DEVLIN/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p>The Jets only had to give up a second-round pick to acquire <b>Devin Setoguchi</b>, the eighth overall selection in 2005. Setoguchi will play on scoring lines, though he hasn&rsquo;t come close to matching his career-best 31-goal season in 2008-09. The important intangible Setoguchi will bring to this young team is playoff experience (53 games).<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0045-01

DON’T CALL HIM ‘VINNY’

<div class="byline">WITH ADAM PROTEAU</div><div class="image-hero"><img title="f0046-02" src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-02456/9964658-1-eng-US/f0046-022.jpg"><figcaption class="caption-body"><p><b>DON&rsquo;T MESS WITH TEXAS</b></p><p>New centers Shawn Horcoff and Tyler Seguin make Dallas more formidable at both ends of the ice.</p> <span class="photo-credit">(GLENN JAMES/THE DALLAS STARS)</span></figcaption></div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0046-01686/9964665-1-eng-US/f0046-012.jpg" title="f0046-01" width="194" height="229"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>W</span>HEN THE DALLAS STARS FAILED TO</b> make the playoffs in 2012-13 &ndash; the fifth such result in the past five seasons &ndash; owner Tom Gaglardi had seen enough. He fired head honcho Joe Nieuwendyk and coach Glen Gulutzan and hired longtime &ndash; and long coveted &ndash; Red Wings assistant GM Jim Nill to oversee on-ice operations as the team&rsquo;s new GM.</p><p>That was on April 29. In the little more than two months that followed, Nill was a one-man front-end loader for the Stars, eschewing the more popular patient approach in favor of an aggressive remake of the franchise&rsquo;s landscape. Via a slew of trades and an intriguing first-round draft pick, the Stars are now a drastically different team &ndash; and they&rsquo;re doing things the Red Wings way. And that will pay big dividends now in and in the future.</p><p>By far the biggest move of Nill&rsquo;s tenure in Dallas was the seven-player blockbuster July 4 deal that brought in centers Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverley from Boston for left winger Loui Eriksson. Eriksson had blossomed in Dallas, but an opportunity to acquire a potential No. 1 center in Seguin makes that deal worth the risk.</p><p>And yes, I say that knowing: (a) Seguin&rsquo;s reputation as a nightlife aficionado; and (b) two homophobic Tweets appeared on his feed in the span of a few months (Seguin maintains his account was hacked in both instances). After speaking with Nill and deleting his Twitter account, the potential for egg-on-face in the future should diminish. And in Texas, his lessened celebrity status in the sporting community should help him keep his social adventures a little further under the radar.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;IN SHORT ORDER, NILL HAS MADE THE STARS MORE DEFENSIVELY RESPONSIBLE AND MORE CAPABLE ON OFFENSE</blockquote><p>But that wasn&rsquo;t the sole move Nill made to address the team&rsquo;s deficiencies down the middle. He traded for Oilers mainstay Shawn Horcoff at the inexpensive cost of D-man Philip Larsen and a 2016 seventh-round pick. The real cost is assuming Horcoff&rsquo;s $5.5-million cap hit for the next two seasons, but there too Nill is taking a calculated, smart risk: Horcoff&rsquo;s contract was front-loaded and his salary is only $4 million this season and $3 million in 2014-15. For budget purposes, Horcoff is a $3.5-million-aseason player &ndash; a number far more in line with his actual market value.</p><p>Nill also dealt a conditional sixth-round pick to Ottawa for negotiating rights to Sergei Gonchar, then signed the Stanley Cup-winning blueliner to a two-year, $10-million contract. Now, Gonchar is 39 and not at his peak, but he had a bounce-back year last season and averaged nearly 24 minutes a game. He&rsquo;ll ease the load on Dallas&rsquo; other defenders and can still produce points at a decent clip (27 in 45 games in 2013).</p><p>Gonchar won&rsquo;t be the only Russian putting up points for the Stars. In what could be an incredible stroke of luck, left winger Valeri Nichushkin fell to Dallas with the No. 10 pick in the draft. The Russian sniper was projected in THN&rsquo;s Draft Preview to go at No. 5, so landing him and quickly signing him to an entry-level deal has to be considered a coup.</p><p>In short order, a Stars squad that was in large part a one-line team now is more defensively responsible with Horcoff and Peverley and more capable on offense with Seguin, Gonchar and Nichushkin. Nill&rsquo;s restocking at center allows the team to shift star Jamie Benn back to his natural position of left wing. And perhaps most importantly, the infusion of veteran experience can allow Dallas&rsquo; youngsters to develop at their own pace.</p><p>The jury will be out on Nill&rsquo;s decisions until the game results are in, but he&rsquo;s already shown why he was so valued in Detroit &ndash; and why Stars fans are likely to appreciate him even more.</p><p><b>WANT MORE PROTEAU?</b> READ HIS EXCLUSIVE WEB COLUMN THURSDAYS AT <b><a href="http://THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM/PROTEAU">THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM/PROTEAU</a></b><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0046-02

MAKING ‘BIG D’ THE WINGED-WHEEL WAY

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-01475/9964696-1-eng-US/f0049-012.jpg" title="f0049-01" width="483" height="592"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(GUESS WHO: JEFF VINNICK/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><p><i>&ldquo;I led the Rangers with 89 points and won a Stanley Cup in 1994, my sophomore year.&rdquo;</i></p><p><i>&ldquo;I was traded twice in a year, joined Dallas in 1996 and won a Cup with the Stars in 1999.&rdquo;</i></p><p><i>&ldquo;I lead Russian NHL D-men in career points/game (0.72) and I am second in points (771).&rdquo;</i><span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-01

Guess WHO!

<div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-02368/9964734-1-eng-US/f0049-022.jpg" title="f0049-02" width="222" height="396"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(TOFFOLI: JUAN OCAMPO/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>TYLER TOFFOLI</b></h2><p>Hollywood sniper hunted goalies as AHL rookie, two goals shy of 30. Crowned goal champion in OHL twice.</p><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-03291/9964727-1-eng-US/f0049-032.jpg" title="f0049-03" width="231" height="396"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(EDGERTON: LISA MAREE WILLIAMS/GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption></div><h2><b>JOEL EDGERTON</b></h2><p><b>EDGERTON</b> Hollywood actor hunted Osama Bin Laden in <i>Zero Dark Thirty</i>. Crowned MMA champion in <i>Warrior.</i></p><p><b>Submitted by:</b> Brendan Shanahan</p><p>Email your suggestions to <b><a href="mailto:sab@thehockeynews.com">sab@thehockeynews.com</a></b></p><p>WHO AM I: SERGEI ZUBOV<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-02

Separated AT BIRTH

<div class="byline">By Larry Humber</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-04271/9964765-1-eng-US/f0049-042.jpg" title="f0049-04" width="913" height="913"></div><h2><b>ACROSS</b></h2><p>1 Goalie Roberto ___&rsquo;s cap hit was untradeable</p><p>4 Hyperextend ligaments</p><p>9 One whose duty it is to present the Cup</p><p>10 Took a series 4-0</p><p>11 Eric, Jordan or Marc ___</p><p>12 Staying power</p><p>13 Edmonton&rsquo;s ___ Petry</p><p>15 Take part in a game</p><p>18 Against the rules</p><p>21 Where the Lightning play</p><p>23 Goalies have a blocker hand and ___ hand</p><p>24 Injure badly</p><p>25 Widen</p><p>26 Red Deer&rsquo;s Western League team</p><h2><b>DOWN</b></h2><p>1 Most recent</p><p>2 Johnny ___ is with Chicago</p><p>3 Ryan ___, pictured, is a Duck</p><p>5 Pre-game meal choice</p><p>6 The Flyers have had great success when they play <i>God Bless</i> ___</p><p>7 ___ Horton just signed with Columbus</p><p>8 One of Bobby Hull&rsquo;s former teams</p><p>14 Colorado&rsquo;s Stefan ___</p><p>15 ___ Bergeron is with the Bruins</p><p>16 Just one ticket (not a pair)</p><p>17 They share the Staples Center with the Kings</p><p>19 Color worn by the Wild</p><p>20 Get ready to play, ___ &rsquo;em up</p><p>22 ___ Leaf Gardens was Toronto&rsquo;s old building</p><p><b>ANSWERS AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT ISSUE AND AT <a href="http://THN.com/XWORD">THN.com/XWORD</a></b></p><h2><b>LAST WEEK&rsquo;S CROSSWORD SOLUTION</b></h2><h3><b>ACROSS</b></h3><p>1. THE KID, 4. AMANDA, 9. RESTORE, 10. TAKES, 11. STEAM, 12. PIRATES, 13. ERIN, 15. GUNK, 18. PACIFIC, 21. RUUTU, 23. ADIEU, 24. HARVARD, 25. SISTER, 26. PIERRE</p><h3><b>DOWN</b></h3><p>1. THRASH, 2. ENSUE, 3. IRON MAN, 5. MOTOR, 6. NIKITIN, 7. ASSIST, 8. DEEP, 14. ROCKIES, 15. GIRARDI, 16. SPEARS, 17. HURDLE, 19. FLUKE, 20. CAHA, 22. USAIR<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-04

CROSSWORD

<div class="byline">&#x2013; MATT LARKIN</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-05216/9964796-1-eng-US/f0049-052.jpg" title="f0049-05" width="834" height="811"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(MASK: STEPHANE BERGERON)</span></figcaption></div><p><b>M-A FLEURY</b> | PITTSBURGH PENGUINS</p><p>Even if Pens fans want Marc-Andre Fleury run out of town, &lsquo;Flower,&rsquo; with artist Stephane Bergeron, has dedicated his latest lid to Pittsburgh. The robotic Penguin and grooved metal background are nods to the city&rsquo;s lifeblood: the steel industry.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-05

Behind THE MASK

<div class="byline">&#x2013; RYAN KENNEDY</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0049-06137/9964827-1-eng-US/f0049-062.jpg" title="f0049-06" width="614" height="656"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JERSEY: GREGG FORWERCK/CAROLINA HURRICANES)</span></figcaption></div><p>Carolina has a new look for next season and no, it has nothing to do with adding more Staal brothers.</p><p>The Canes cleaned up their jerseys, bringing in more simplistic striping and doing away with the hurricane flags on the shoulders and the bottom of the sweater, where it was used as a border.</p><p>While the shoulder flag worked, the border always looked too boxy and no longer resembled a flag. With the white jersey sporting an 80&rsquo;s throwback style on the shoulder, the new uniform still brings flourishes.<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

f0049-06

Jersey HOUND

<div class="byline">WITH KEN CAMPBELL</div><div class="figure-block image-block"><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-02351/9964858-1-eng-US/f0050-022.jpg" title="f0050-02" width="838" height="795"><figcaption class="caption-body"><span class="photo-credit">(JEFF VINNICK/NHLI VIA GETTY IMAGES)</span></figcaption><img src="/var/site_2854/storage/images/media2/images/f0050-01464/9964865-1-eng-US/f0050-012.jpg" title="f0050-01" width="194" height="219"></div><p class="dropcap"><b><span>T</span>HIS SUMMER, THE STATE OF FLORIDA</b> has experienced an invasion of gallinippers: a mutant mosquito the size of a quarter that can apparently only be taken out with a shotgun. (OK, that last part is a slight exaggeration.) Which leads us to wonder, when Vancouver Canucks owner Francesco Aquilini showed up at Roberto Luongo&rsquo;s house on draft day, would Luongo rather have been greeted by an army of gal-linippers or, even worse, a guy in a suit waving a copy of The Watchtower? We can only guess how he felt about seeing GM Mike Gillis and new coach John Tortorella &ndash; oh, imagine the possibilities &ndash; a few days later.</p><p>The fact is, we don&rsquo;t really know how Luongo feels about the Canucks goaltending implosion, or at least we didn&rsquo;t in early July. Luongo wasn&rsquo;t talking about it to anyone, save for perhaps himself, muttering words to the effect of &ldquo;What the (expletive)?&rdquo; Yeah, we&rsquo;re pretty sure he&rsquo;s said that more than a couple of times.</p><p>But here&rsquo;s the thing. Nobody ever said life as a professional athlete was fair. The game does not owe anyone anything. If you want to assign blame here, most of it goes to Gillis, who created the situation when he signed Luongo to a 12-year, front-loaded contract to begin with. As we all know, it made Luongo virtually untradeable, even more so after the NHL decided to get petty with teams such as the Canucks who thought they were &ldquo;nudge-nudge, wink-wink&rdquo; concocting contracts that were perfectly legal under the old collective bargaining agreement. But by imposing the cap recapture scheme on these deals in the new one, the league sealed Luongo&rsquo;s fate and will make him a rather unpopular figure in Vancouver should he decide to skip out on his contract prior to 2022.</p><p>Was it fair that the Canucks made Cory Schneider their unequivocal No. 1 goalie, then played hardball in Luongo trade talks while the veteran sat on the bench and distributed hilarious and self-deprecating tweets? Is that how you treat people? Probably not, but Luongo had to know when he signed the deal it would be almost impossible to trade him. He tied himself to the Canucks, for better or worse, and will receive $64 million for taking a contract that Luongo said, in his own words, &ldquo;sucks&rdquo;.</p><p>And really, Luongo is now getting what he wanted all along, to be the No. 1 goalie for the Canucks. The manner in which it came is slimy, but the Canucks and Luongo now know they are stuck with one another.</p><p>The Canucks could have bought Luongo out for $27 million with no cap penalty as an amnesty buyout, but chose not to do so. Again, you can debate the merits of that when virtually every other team in the league was taking its two mulligans on its most burdensome contracts. But the Canucks did not, which is entirely within their rights.</p><p>So perhaps it&rsquo;s now time for Luongo to man up and face the situation with the same grace and charm he used when dealing with his relegation to the backup spot. Luongo has a deal in place, one that has made him a very rich man. There&rsquo;s a list that is oh, about 10,000 names long, of players in hockey history who have been treated more shabbily than Luongo has. Perhaps it&rsquo;s time for Luongo to realize not only the common man, but a good number of players who have sacrificed their whole lives to make the NHL, would love nothing more than to have a contract the size of Luongo&rsquo;s and be treated the way he has.</p><p>And it&rsquo;s not as though Luongo has been sentenced to play the rest of his career for the Danbury Trashers. Vancouver is truly one of the world&rsquo;s most beautiful cities. He&rsquo;s playing for a team that still has the capacity to be a contender for the next couple of seasons. Who knows? It&rsquo;s not as though anyone who has a Canadian passport has jumped to the front of the queue when it comes to being the favorite to start in goal for the Olympic team in Sochi. If Luongo puts his mind to it, he could conceivably win another Olympic gold medal and a Stanley Cup in the next couple of years. Or he could at least prove he&rsquo;s still an elite goaltender in the NHL and make the best of a mess that he did not create. Much of whether that happens will be dictated by how Luongo himself responds to this situation.</p><blockquote class="pullQuote">&ldquo;NOBODY EVER SAID LIFE AS A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE WAS FAIR. THE GAME DOES NOT OWE ANYONE ANYTHING</blockquote><p>Some voices at the draft said Luongo should keep his mouth shut and not tip his hand about whether he&rsquo;ll report to the Canucks until the day before training camp starts. That way, perhaps the Canucks would find out what it&rsquo;s like to twist in the wind the way he has for the past year. Fair enough. But at some point, someone has to live up to the contract he signed, even if it sucks. That man is, of course, Roberto Luongo.</p><p><b>CAN&rsquo;T GET ENOUGH CAMPBELL?</b> CLICK ON <b><a href="http://thehockeynews.com">THEHOCKEYNEWS.COM</a></b> FOR KEN&rsquo;S EXCLUSIVE COLUMN<span class="end-marker"> &#9632;</span></p>

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August 13, 2013

OPENING FACEOFF

ALL-ACTION OFF-SEASON

DESERT DRY SPELL FINALLY FINISHED

A CARETAKER FOR THE SPORT