Central Notes: Tarasenko, Jets, Bouma
The St. Louis Blues extended the Edmonton Oilers’ misery with an 8-3 beating on Tuesday night. But who would have thought the beating would have come not only from the blades of the stick, but from Vladimir Tarasenko‘s fists, too? The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Tom Timmermann highlights that Tarasenko’s Gordie Howe hat trick last night was just another sign that the Russian superstar is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the Blues as the top of the Western Conference. Tarasenko, along with winning the fight, added two goals, two helpers, and inspired the bench with his willingness to drop the gloves. Though its still early in the season and teams can fade down the stretch, there’s no denying that this tight-knit Blues squad is doing everything right so far.
- The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn writes (paid content) that no one saw the Winnipeg Jets being a top-five team at the start of the season. Even with a 79% chance to make the playoffs, according to Luszczyszyn’s projections, he does point out that some red flags exist despite the Jets’ hot start. Winnipeg is ranked in the bottom half of the league in Score-Adjusted Corsi. Additionally, as Luszczyszyn dives into the advanced stats, it reveals that the Jets are trending in the wrong direction statistically–indicating that the team is due to regress from its hot start. Luszczyszyn also presents some numbers that show a cause for concern about Blake Wheeler, who may be seeing his play decline at a quicker rate than many could have predicted.
- Lance Bouma has been a great addition and his simple approach to the game is paying dividends for the Blackhawks writes the Chicago Sun-Times Mark Lazerus. Though his scoresheet stats aren’t exactly setting the league ablaze, it’s his defensive responsibility that is getting the attention. Lazerus reports that aside from the physical side of his game, it’s his ability to advance the puck out of trouble that has kept him as a mainstay in coach Joel Quenneville‘s lineup. Bouma isn’t going to get fancy–instead he simply pushes to get the puck out of the defensive zone as quickly as he can. This simplicity, Lazerus writes, is something that some of his teammates could take note of.
Anton Rodin, Drew Miller Sign Overseas
On the same day he cleared waivers and had his contract terminated by the Vancouver Canucks, Anton Rodin has returned to Europe. However, the Swedish forward is not going back to Brynas of the Swedish Hockey League, where he spent most of his prime years, including an MVP season in 2015-16. Instead, the 27-year-old winger has signed with HC Davos of the NLA, the Swiss club announced. Davos reports that Rodin has signed a two-year deal that will keep him in Switzerland through the end of the 2018-19 season.
The hope for Davos is obviously that Rodin will perform more like he did in his previous European career than he has in the disastrous past season plus for the Vancouver Canucks. Injury and ineffectiveness left Rodin with only four points in 13 total games, NHL and AHL, over the last two seasons. Davos, which sits in fifth place in the NLA, needs a much better effort than that from their newest acquisition.
Meanwhile, while struggling Swedish squad Brynas may be disappointed that their former superstar Rodin chose not to return home, they made the most of the situation by going out and getting a big name of their own. The team announced that they have signed NHL veteran Drew Miller. The long-time Detroit Red Wings forward was unable to turn a tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks this fall into a contract and has been without a job since. He now makes his first foray overseas, joining a Brynas squad that has fallen on hard times. However, with an intelligent, hard-working forward like Miller now in the fold and playing alongside a player of similar ilk in Daniel Paille, it’s not too late for Brynas to learn to play a smart, two-way game and climb back up the standings.
What Your Team Is Thankful For: Chicago Blackhawks
As the holiday season approaches, PHR will look at what teams are thankful for this year. There also might be a few things your team would like down the road. We take a look at what’s gone well in the first month and what could improve as the season rolls on.
What are the Chicago Blackhawks most thankful for?
Breaking that goal scoring drought.
After a prolonged struggle where fans, and pundits were wondering what was ailing the team, the Blackhawks rallied to beat Carolina, and though they lost 7-5 to New Jersey, showed their offense was able to show up for more than just a couple goals. They cooled off the Rangers thanks to an Artem Anisimov hat trick on Wednesday, and then beat the defending champs last night 2-1. More reassuring is that the power play, which had been sputtering, has been more effective, scoring at a 29.4% clip (5/17) against Carolina, New Jersey, New York, and Pittsburgh.
Who are the Blackhawks most thankful for?
The veteran netminder has been clutch for the team this year, keeping them in the games while they struggled to find the back of the net. This season, Crawford has a .933 save percentage, with .934 during even strength and an astounding .920 save percentage on the penalty kill. As a comparison, during the Hawks’ last Stanley Cup winning season in 2015, it was .879. That’s with a solid blue line, and stingy back checking, penalty killing forwards in Marcus Kruger, Jonathan Toews, Marian Hossa, and Brandon Saad.
Crawford has put the team on his back during its struggles and though at some point, he’ll come back to earth a bit, there’s no question how important he’s been for them between the pipes.
What would the Blackhawks be more thankful for?
A top pairing defenseman.
This isn’t to disparage Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook because they’re still good in their own right. But they also look slower and older–thanks to years of deep playoff runs. The Hawks have several good options, but Connor Murphy hasn’t been as strong as they initially thought he would be. Gustav Forsling is getting better with each game, but they’re just lacking that top defenseman that helped carry them to three Stanley Cups. The tricky part, of course, is the salary cap situation along with who they would trade in order to get that caliber of a defenseman.
What should be on the Blackhawks’ Holiday Wish List?
Defensive help, moreso for depth if they can’t acquire (because it’d be so . Offensively they look solid with Alex DeBrincat coming into his own. Acquiring a defenseman at a rental price, such as Mike Green from the Red Wings (should he be made available) could do wonders for a team that could use a boost on the blueline. It also wouldn’t burden the cap for next season as his contract would expire at the end of the season. Green is just one of many defensemen that could take an average blueline into an above-average one capable of taking them deeper into the playoffs.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images
Bruins, Blackhawks To Meet in 2019 Winter Classic
The NHL announced today that the 2019 Winter Classic will be played at Notre Dame Stadium between the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 1, 2019.
The Bruins and the Blackhawks, two historic Original Six franchises, will meet outdoors for the first time ever. While it is the first time they will meet outdoors against each other, the Blackhawks will be making their fourth Winter Classic appearance. The Bruins have appeared in the annual game three times. It will be the 11th Winter Classic.
The two teams will get a chance to play in the 80,000 capacity Notre Dame Stadium as it’s likely this will have the biggest live audience of any NHL game ever.
The New York Rangers and Buffalo Sabres will be meeting at the 2018 NHL Winter Classic at Citi Field in Queens, New York on Jan. 1, 2018.
Eastern Notes: Flyers, Hinostroza, Ryan, Vanecek
For the Philadelphia Flyers, offense seems hard to come by. The Flyers found themselves on the losing end of another shutout Saturday night against the Minnesota Wild — that’s the fourth time this year. According to Philly.com’s Sam Carchidi, Philadelphia is on pace to suffer through 19 shutouts this year. The most the Flyers have ever had was 10 back in the 1968-69 season. Nevertheless, the team needs to find its offense if they want to avoid this trend.
One issue is that one of the team’s top scorers, Wayne Simmonds, has been banged up with nagging injuries and has been held without a goal for nine straight games. The scribe suggests the team look to their AHL affiliate, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, to try to find someone who could invigorate their offense such as Danick Martel. This addition could give Simmonds some time off to heal.
Martel, who is a two-time 20-goal scorer with the Phantoms is having a breakout year as he’s already put up 14 goals in 15 games. The diminutive forward (5-foot-8, 166-pound forward) might be ready for the challenge of the NHL.
- The Athletic’s Scott Powers tweets that Chicago Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville was asked about the play of Vinnie Hinostroza with the Rockford IceHogs this season and whether he might be called up soon. The 23-year-old wing, who played 49 games for the Blackhawks last season, didn’t make the team out of training camp, but has played well with his AHL team, putting up seven goals and eight assists in 14 games. Quenneville’s response was that Hinostroza is playing well, but calling him up is not an option since the team is healthy and “it’s not as if we’re disappointed with anyone up here.”
- The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch writes that while the team has lost Zack Smith to a dislocated thumb for three weeks, the team might be getting back forward Bobby Ryan soon. The 30-year-old Ryan who has been out for nearly a month with a broken finger could be back soon, although nothing will be decided until later this week. Ryan, who has six assists this season in eight games this year, has been skating while the club has been overseas in Sweden. He’s also been shooting the puck, which suggests he might be ready for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
- Washington Capitals goaltending prospect Vitek Vanecek is making his AHL season debut for the Hersey Bears today after missing time with a lower body injury, according to Hershey Bears’ Zack Fisch. The 2014 second-round pick played 39 games for the Hershey Bears last year, putting up a 2.54 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
A Closer Look At The Head Coach Hot Seat
Before the season even started, several names surfaced as options to be on the dreaded “first to be fired” list released by a number of outlets. Detroit’s Jeff Blashill led the pre-season predictions while Chicago’s Joel Quenneville was even included on the list. Other names included were Colorado’s Jared Bednar, and Winnipeg’s Paul Maurice. PHR ran a poll last week on this and Alain Vigneault and Claude Julien led the votes.
Heres a closer look at some of these names as teams approach completion of the first quarter of the season.
Raise your hand if you expected his name on this list before the season started. Edmonton, who was mentioned as a possible Stanley Cup contender during the preseason, has not only struggled in the first month of the season, but also had a heck of a time trying to score goals. Is it all on McLellan? It’s probably unfair to say so. But with giving up 13 more goals than scoring, and spared only by a dreadful Arizona team from being in last place, McLellan might be in trouble if the Oilers continue to slide.
Alain Vigneault
Another coach who was expected to lead his team deep into the playoffs, Vigneault’s Rangers were sputtering for the first few weeks of the season. Just two weeks ago, New York Post writer Larry Brooks wondered if Vigneault would even make it out of October with a job. It’s amazing what can change in such a short time. The Blueshirts are riding a six-game winning streak and have racked up quality wins against Vegas, Tampa Bay, and Columbus. Vigneault will still be scrutinized but the latest change in fortune have certainly helped his job status.
Jeff Blashill
After a brutal six game losing streak, Blashill’s seat was rumored to be scorching. Following a couple wins and a not-so-bad road trip, the Red Wings have 13 of their next 15 at home. This will most likely dictate Blashill’s fate, should there be a coaching change during the season. The third year coach can’t possibly be blamed for the roster, but the Red Wings want to be a perennial playoff participant. While that doesn’t seem realistic, an 8-8-1 record through 17 games is certainly not helping matters. Further, should the Red Wings not see progression with their younger players, it may seal Blashill’s fate.
Paul Maurice
Out of all the coaches who have been spoken of, Maurice’s name constantly pops up on the list. But so far this season, the Jets are 8-4-3 with 19 points and in second place in the Central Division. How many had him on the list is surprising since the veteran coach was not only extended back in September, but also has a winning mark in Winnipeg.
Jared Bednar
Mark it down as one of the biggest surprises that Colorado is 8-6-1 and are now sitting prettier after finally dealing Matt Duchene in what looks like a win for Joe Sakic. Bednar accepted the job after winning the Calder Cup with AHL Affiliate Cleveland before he endured the most miserable season in Avalanche history since moving to Denver in 1995. If the Avs continue to keep their head above water, Bednar would have a relatively cool seat.
Joel Quenneville
It doesn’t seem right to put him on this list. A man who led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cups is leading a team that is now older and shuffling a roster to remain cap-compliant. Firing him, regardless of what the Blackhawks do, seems like a cop out for a general manager who outside of a few players, has won off of his predecessor’s work. Fan Rag’s Craig Morgan wrote as much back in August.
After a torrid start, the Blackhawks have cooled, and are struggling to find the back of the net. The power play is in the bottom rung of the league at 13.6% (27th out of 31) and Quenneville has been employing a line blender to try and find something to work. Should Chicago run out of gas and be eliminated early again or worse, miss the playoffs, then it’s safe to say Coach Q is in trouble. However, if history has taught hockey fans anything, it’s to never count out the Blackhawks.
Evening Snapshots: Red Wings, Mantha, Slumping Blackhawks
Heading home for a stretch where they play 13 of 15 at Little Caesars Arena, Detroit Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill says there is “zero excuse” for not winning tonight writes MLive’s Ansar Khan. After getting pushed around by Calgary Thursday night, Detroit looks to get back on track against a Columbus team mired in a four game winless streak. The goal for the Red Wings are to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus, and this stretch of hockey with games predominantly at home serves as the best chance to get a good jump on it. Currently sitting 8-8-1, impressive forward Anthony Mantha added that the team needs have at least a .750 or .800 mark during the stretch at home.
- Speaking of Mantha, Khan reports that the goal-scoring forward is developing into a more complete player in his second NHL season. Dogged early in his career for lack of effort, Mantha has risen to the occasion, leading the Red Wings in goals and points through Friday. Blashill says that the 22-year-old is very motivated and is skating harder now than he had previously with the team.
- The Chicago Tribune’s Chris Hine writes that the Blackhawk faithful are keeping their hopes up that Chicago will turn things around soon. Hine likens the current slump to a “crisis of faith” as they’ve struggled to score goals, registering just 12 goals in the last seven games. The culprit, Hine writes, are the “big money” players not getting on the score sheet regularly. He singles out captain Jonathan Toews (4-6-10), Brandon Saad (6-3-9), Patrick Kane (5-9-14), Duncan Keith (0-8-8), Brent Seabrook (1-4), and Patrick Sharp (2-2) as those players. Kane hasn’t scored in seven games while Saad is goal-less in his last ten games. Head coach Joel Quenneville has been toying with lines, trying to find the right combination to break the scoring drought.
Gustav Forsling Set To Return
- Blackhawks defenseman Gustav Forsling is expected to make his return to the lineup on Thursday, reports Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times. He has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury. To make room for him, the team is expected to shift Jan Rutta back to his natural right side which could push offseason acquisition Connor Murphy out of the lineup for a fourth time this season.
Snapshots: Three Stars, Calvert, Matthews
The NHL has named its three stars for the previous week, with goaltender Corey Crawford taking top honors. Crawford earned two shutouts for the Chicago Blackhawks last week, and recorded a .919 save percentage. Unfortunately, Chicago is still just 7-6-2 on the season after dropping last night’s game against Montreal 2-0. They’ll need more solid performances from Crawford going forward if they’re to really climb towards the top of the standings.
Josh Bailey and Martin Jones took home second and third respectively, after impressive weeks of their own. Bailey had an incredible seven assists last week and now has 15 on the season, and Jones led the Sharks to three straight wins. Both the Sharks and Islanders have climbed out of early holes to establish themselves as relevant playoff possibilities once again.
- Matt Calvert will be out three to four weeks with an upper-body injury according to the Columbus Blue Jackets’ GM Jarmo Kekalainen. Calvert was injured in Saturday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and has been placed on injured reserve. Losing Calvert will test the Blue Jackets’ forward depth even more, as they’re already without Lukas Sedlak and Cam Atkinson for the time being. The team has not made a corresponding move yet, and will take on the New York Rangers tonight.
- Auston Matthews is a game-time decision for the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight as he deals with “soreness” according to head coach Mike Babcock. If Matthews does miss the game, it would be the first time in his career he failed to suit up. In 97 career regular season games, Matthews now has 50 goals and is showing he could be even more dominant than anyone expected when he was selected first overall. The Maple Leafs can’t afford to lose him for very long though, as their slide continued with a 6-4 loss at the hands of the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night.
- Unfortunately for the fans in Stockholm, Carl Soderberg may not be in the lineup when the Colorado Avalanche and Ottawa Senators play NHL regular season games in Sweden later this week. The Swedish-born forward did not travel with the team, instead staying at home in Denver with his pregnant wife. Since the couple is expecting the baby on Tuesday, he hasn’t yet been ruled out for the back-to-back games.
Morning Notes: Marleau, Bonuses, Shipachyov
The Toronto Maple Leafs got back on track last night with a road win over the Anaheim Ducks, and in the process Patrick Marleau scored the game-winner and his fifth goal of the season. More importantly, it was Marleau’s 100th game-winner of his career, another milestone checked off the list.
Though many believed the Maple Leafs hugely overpaid for Marleau’s services this summer, he’s been one of the team’s most consistent players through the first month of the season and has even turned back the clock to move back to center ice for the team. Marleau now ranks 39th all-time on the goals leader board, passing Hall of Famer and Buffalo legend Gilbert Perreault with 513. While the latter part of his three-year, $18.75MM contract has a good chance to look bad, the Maple Leafs have loved his contribution so far.
- Chicago Blackhawks fans know all about performance bonuses, as they’ve had to pay overage bonuses for the past couple of seasons due to the huge scoring output of Artemi Panarin. Scott Powers of The Athletic dives into who can earn what this year for the team, a picture that looks a little brighter. An interesting note is that Patrick Sharp has already earned his $200K bonus for playing in ten games, making his a one-year $1MM contract.
- Vadim Shipachyov is once again not on unconditional waivers but according to Eric Engels of Sportsnet is back in Russia waiting on the next step. The suspended forward is expected to eventually be placed there to have his contract terminated, but the Vegas Golden Knights are looking for a guarantee that he won’t be claimed by one of the other 30 teams. If he is, the Golden Knights won’t get back the nearly $2MM they are owed from his signing bonus.