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Islanders Get Permission To Speak With Gerard Gallant

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Per Elliotte Friedman and confirmed by Bob McKenzie, the New York Islanders have requested permission to speak with former Panther bench boss Gerard Gallant. Permission was granted and the Isles have a chance to lock up a coach whose firing shocked the hockey world.

Gallant was fired by the Panthers on November 27th, while former Isles head coach Jack Capuano was relieved of his duties today. Friedman notes that Gallant is a former assistant coach for the Isles.

The Islanders have struggled this season, and Capuano was the first casualty of their fall in the standings. General manager Garth Snow has to be feeling heat as well, since his offseason gambles, namely signing Andrew Ladd to a monster deal, have not paid off.

While nothing is set in stone, or guaranteed, Snow’s chase of Gallant indicates a desperation to turn things around.

Will The Red Wings Be Buyers or Sellers?

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A couple wins over quality teams may have offered a glimmer of hope for the Detroit Red Wings playoff chances but barring an insane Columbus-like winning streak, all signs point to Detroit coming up short of a 26th straight appearance. Despite roaring back to beat Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Saturday evening, and then shutting out Montreal 1-0 on Monday, the Wings are hardly in the thick of things. If anything, the latest two victories, which put several young players in the spotlight, indicates why the Red Wings must get younger while giving the current young players on the squad a chance to compete.

Despite this, Ken Holland made a comment to TSN 690 that veteran players can have “off nights” because of stock built from previous performance. From the article:

Jeff Blashill and I talk about this quite often — Henrik Zetterberg is an example. He’s built up stock. It’s like you’re in a company,” Holland explained. “When you build up stock and you have an off night, all the stock you’ve built up allows you to have those nights when, as a veteran player, you maybe have an off night. When you’re a young player you can’t have off nights because you don’t have that stock built up, you haven’t done enough to help the team win through time.”

The logic is faulty in that young players will have off nights-simply because they’re young. Further, without Anthony Mantha or Andreas Athanasiou, it’s a wonder how much further down the Red Wings would be in the standings. Players like Jonathan Ericsson, Riley Sheahan, and Danny DeKeyser have struggled mightily this season, and don’t have the resume of a Zetterberg. Yet their minutes, and presence in the lineup, have remained consistent whereas Athanasiou has been scratched for sins only known to Blashill and Holland.

Apr 17, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings left wing Henrik Zetterberg (40) skates with the puck during the second period against the Tampa Bay Lightning in game three of the first round of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

While Holland still has an eye on the playoffs, despite only an 11% chance of making them,  here are a few players Holland may want to dangle at the deadline.

Thomas Vanek

Vanek may be one of Holland’s better free agent pickups in the salary cap era, second only to Marian Hossa back in 2008. Vanek has nearly been a point-per-game player, and could be a missing piece for a slew of playoff teams looking to bolster its run at a Stanley Cup. Winging It In Motown had a detailed write up on what Vanek could garner and why he should be considered a prime piece to move.

In a weaker trade market, and looking at what some rentals garnered at last season’s deadline, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Vanek snares a 1st round pick or significant prospect.

Mike Green

Going back to Winging It In Motown, they target the other valuable asset, defenseman Mike Green. Green (another solid Holland pickup) does have a no-trade clause, but a chance to win a Cup may change his mind should the Wings continue to slip out of playoff range.  Green has been better for the Wings this season, already tallying 20 points (8-12) in 36 games. An offensive minded defenseman, Green would be an asset on the power play, and for the Wings, could yield quite the haul, possibly a 1st round pick for interested teams.

The next few weeks should reveal the Wings true standing. But taking a run at “the streak” instead of reloading for the future may be something that haunts the Wings for years to come.

How Are The 2016 Draft Picks Doing? Picks #1-5

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Now more than ever, the NHL is a draft and develop league. While trades and key free agent signings are still an important part of the game, gone are the days where core players could be obtained for a few draft picks and low level prospects. The key to building a solid franchise foundation is drafting well. If gifted with a top five pick, the pressure in the salary cap era is even more stifling.

With the 2017 NHL Draft just over six months away, it’s always interesting to see how the 2016 picks are doing following their selections. Some like Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine, really need no introduction. The contributions to their respective teams have been significant, and talked about during the first half of the season. Here are the top five picks in order, and what they’ve been up to since being drafted last June.

#1 overall pick: Auston Matthews

What else is there to say? The Toronto Maple Leafs picked the Arizona native and they haven’t been disappointed. Nearly a point-per-game player, Matthews has 36 points (21-15) in 40 games and despite a goal scoring drought a few months back, Matthews has hit his stride. A knack to score big goals and showing a strong two-way game as well, Matthews is the backbone of a Toronto rebuilding project that includes a lot of exciting young players. The future is looking very bright in hockey’s mecca.

#2 overall pick: Patrik Laine

The Winnipeg Jets knew they were getting a good player in Laine, but just how good wasn’t revealed until the regular season began. Laine has netted two hat tricks this season and until Matthews heated up, there was significant discussion that Laine could be the choice for the Calder Trophy for league’s best rookie. Though a concussion sidelined him, Laine was also nearly a point-per-game player with 37 points (21-16) in 42 games. He still leads all rookies in goals and points.
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Saturday Night Game Notes: Raanta Hurt, Shaw Ejected

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In yet another injury to a key player, Rangers backup goalie Antti Raanta left tonight’s game with a lower body injury. Henrik Lundqvist came in for relief, but it leaves the Blueshirts without a backup goaltender for the remainder of the contest. Lunqvist was rudely welcomed with a goal on his first shot faced,  Joey Alfieri speculates that it was either a wrist shot or a collision with Andrew Shaw that triggered the injury.

But that wasn’t the one that got him ejected.

Shaw was given a game misconduct for his hit on Jesper Fast and received 22 minutes in penalties, with only 5:06 played. TSN’s Amanda Stein tweets that Shaw received five for interference, fighting, and the game misconduct. Shaw just returned from a concussion that sidelined him for just over a month.

Kris Letang Suffers Left Knee Injury

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8:00CST: Letang has not returned, playing only 2:06 tonight.

Kris Letang scored a goal just 27 seconds in for the Pittsburgh Penguins. And just as quickly, he was helped off the ice with an apparent knee injury.

The Detroit News’ Ted Kulfan reports that Letang got tangled up with the Detroit Red Wings’ Thomas Vanek in the corner and fell to the ice in obvious pain. He was helped off the ice, favoring his left knee. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writer Jonathan Bombulie confirms it was Letang’s left knee. Additionally, Bombulie tweets that Letang did return, tested the knee out during a stoppage, but then returned down the tunnel near the end of the first period. Bombulie reports that he played just one shift upon his return for 17 seconds.

This is tough news for the Pens should it be a significant injury. Letang has 23 points (4-19) this season for the Pens and is a staple on the blue line.

Johnny Boychuk Day-To-Day With Upper Body Injury

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Add Johnny Boychuk to the injury merry-go-round that is claiming important players from teams across the league. Boychuk was a late scratch tonight, as reported by Shannon Hogan, with an upper body injury. Cat Silverman of Fan Rag goes further, indicating that the injury could be “huge” should it be a long term injury. Silverman adds that Boychuk was not out during warmups.

More From Silverman:

The 32-year-old blue liner has been one of the team’s most consistent players since getting dealt from the Boston Bruins in the summer of 2014 – and if the team looks to deal away anyone on the blue line ahead of the impending expansion draft, they’ll need their corps as healthy as possible.

The Islanders have struggled this season and are currently tied with the Detroit Red Wings for the least amount of points in the Eastern Conference, though they have two games in hand.

Boychuk has 14 points (5-9) this season.

Red Wings Notes: “Not Very Good”

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The Detroit Red Wings are facing the grim and realistic prospect that there will be no continuation to its playoff streak. While it’s a shock to a generation of fans who have never seen a Spring without the Red Wings in the playoffs, it will provide some relief in knowing that the Wings could be picking new talent in the top 5 of the NHL draft.  The Wings are cemented in last place, and with every passing game, look more and more like a team that needs to begin focus heavily on scouting young talent.

In Helene St. James’ recent article , several Red Wings are quoted and forward Gustav Nyquist says the team was “not very good” after a long road trip. The same could be said about the entire season. More from Nyquist via St. James:

“We know that if we play the way we should and we want to, we can be a good team. We have had stretches of showing that. I think a lot of guys in here are maybe squeezing their sticks — obviously, not producing like they want to over the course of the year. But you have to be stronger than that. You have to be mentally strong and get past that. Make sure you are helping your team out.

We’ve got half the season left, so we’ll stay positive here and win some home games.”

St. James adds herself that in seven games, the Wings only collected six points and worse, as they head home, it’s to another place where they haven’t fared well all season. St. James also reports that the Red Wings have to sustain consistency in order to gain some momentum if they are to play better.

Beyond games though, there are those who believe the Red Wings need to face the facts and realize what they are.

Wings Nation blogger Greg Brady writes that the Red Wings shouldn’t be focused on the playoffs at all and instead, begin operating in a way that favors a younger team learning to build. Brady projects that Detroit is only good for 80 points, which is not only a steep decline from last season, but also one that isn’t even close to a playoff spot.

While still playing for pride because they are professionals, Brady feels it’s coming to terms with the idea that playing for the future–while still giving their all–is the way to go. For Brady, optimism is welcome. But they should also be realistic as well.

Central Notes: Kero, Stars Mailbag, Suter

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Despite it providing a short lived lead, Tanner Kero’s goal against the Red Wings last night during the Hawks 4-3 victory showed the youngster is fitting in quite well. The Daily Herald’s John Dietz reports that Kero is making the most of his callup, being a stellar fill-in for the injured Marcus Kruger as a third line center. This coming for a player who wasn’t entirely sure he had what it takes to be an NHL player long ago as a freshman at Michigan Tech. With a young wife and child at home, Kero certainly has the stress of being successful beyond just himself. But wife Taylor Kero looks at it as a day-by-day process, one that requires her husband–and their family–to take what opportunities life provides.

“You definitely have to be flexible. That’s what this lifestyle calls for,” Taylor said. “We just take things day by day. We’re grateful and hope for the best, and hopefully this opportunity lasts a lot longer.”

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Alex Ovechkin Registers His 1,000th Point

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Alex Ovechkin continues his march to the Hall of Fame. It’s yet another highlight in what has been an impressive career for the 31-year-old forward. Ovechkin scored just 35 seconds into the game, notching his 1,000th point and being the second fastest player to do so in just 880 games . The player to achieve it faster? Jaromir Jagr. Stephen Whyno writes that he’s the 84th player in NHL history to reach the 1000 point plateau.

It also happened to be Ovechkin’s 545th goal, which is the second most in NHL history through 1,000 points. First belongs to Brett Hull.

Of course it would come against the Penguins, a team that has tortured Ovechkin throughout his career, especially in the playoffs. Not only did the momentous occasion come against a bitter rival, but it also happened on home ice for all of the Capitals’ fans to share in.

It wasn’t the only milestone celebrated in Washington, either. During a stoppage in play, Washington fans gave Nicklas Backstrom a standing ovation for recording his 500th assist against Ottawa last Saturday.

 

 

Red Wings Notes: Blashill, Nielsen, Abdelkader, Green

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Though the Detroit Red Wings have struggled this season, the Detroit News’ Gregg Krupa doesn’t believe the blame all belongs at the feet of bench boss Jeff Blashill. In danger of missing the playoffs for the first time in 26 years, Krupa notes a multitude of reasons for the team’s fall: lack of star power, an aging core, a useless power play, and needing to collect at least 65% of the the points they have available to them in the their next 42 games.

From Krupa:

In the first 40 games, they garnered slightly less than half the points.  Amid the maelstrom, Blashill, 43, grapples in his second season with destructive trends dragging down the franchise.  Players who won Stanley Cups are largely gone.

Prized free agents have decide to play with other teams. Misjudgments on personnel have hampered “the rebuild on the fly.”  A roster with a good supply of support players lacks top stars.Blashill is not to blame.  But he should be gauged by whether players improve and play up to their potential.

And, at about the halfway point of the season, those are big issues of concern. Unless there is a marked improvement in the Red Wings performance by April, there is likely to be a harsh review of Blashill’s first two seasons.

Fairly or unfairly, someone will pay for the Wings’ struggles. While the majority of fans and national analysts will point to the team general manager Ken Holland constructed, it will most likely be the end of Blashill’s tenure in Detroit if someone has to go.

In other Red Wings news:

  • It took a season with a new team for Frans Nielsen to earn his first All-Star game appearance. Nielsen was overjoyed with the news, telling  MLive’s Ansar Khan that “it’s something to be proud of.” There are a handful of Red Wings having better seasons, namely Anthony Mantha, but Khan reports that it’s a multitude of factors that go into the selection process, not just scoring.
  • The Red Wings will receive two crucial players back into their lineup as both Justin Abdelkader and Mike Green are set to return against the Blackhawks tonight. If anything the return of the duo can certainly inject some more talent into an anemic power play, that is failing at historical levels. Though both will be limited to shorter shifts, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for a team beleaguered by injury.

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