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Blues sign Scott Gomez to 1-year contract
October 7, 2015
ST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Blues signed forward Scott Gomez to a one-year contract Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Gomez, a 15-year NHL veteran, attended training camp on a professional tryout. He had seven goals and 27 assists in 58 games last season for New Jersey.
St. Louis added forward Scottie Upshall on Monday, also after a tryout.
The Blues placed forward Patrik Berglund on long-term injured reserve. Berglund underwent shoulder surgery in August and will be evaluated in four months.
St. Louis said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forward Alexander Steen will be assistant captains.
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Torres won't appeal 41-game suspension
October 7, 2015
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres will not appeal his 41-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg in a preseason game.
The NHLPA said Wednesday that Torres will not contest the longest suspension in NHL history for a hit on another player.
This marks the fifth and most significant suspension for Torres in his career. His previous longest ban had been a 21-game suspension - initially 25 games - for a high hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa in the first round of the playoffs in 2012 when he played for Arizona.
Torres was suspended for the final six games of the playoffs in 2013 with San Jose for a hit to the head against Los Angeles' Jarret Stoll. Torres was also suspended for two games in January 2012 and April 2011 for hits.
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Devils to retire Martin Brodeur's No. 30
October 6, 2015
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) Shortly after Martin Brodeur was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the 20th pick in the 1990 NHL draft, the 18-year-old goaltender was confused.
He ''didn't know where New Jersey was,'' Brodeur recalled Tuesday with his trademark grin. Twenty-five years later, he and the franchise are permanently linked.
The Devils will retire the No. 30 jersey of their longtime goaltender and erect a statue during ceremonies Feb. 9 at the game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Brodeur played 21 seasons for New Jersey, leading the Devils to three Stanley Cup titles (1995, 2000, 2003) and winning the Vezina Trophy four times as the NHL's top goalie.
His jersey will join those of defensemen Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko and Scott Niedermayer in the rafters.
''I'll be right beside the three defensemen who really helped me out be the goalie that I was,'' Brodeur said.
Brodeur retired last season after playing seven games with the St. Louis Blues, where he now serves as an assistant general manager. He left the game with NHL records for games played (1,266), wins (691) and shutouts (125).
''Very few athletes attain these type of heights in any sport,'' said Josh Harris, the owner of the Devils.
Also in attendance were CEO Scott O'Neil, President Hugh Weber, GM Ray Shero, coach John Hynes, the current team, plus several hundred fans.
''We're here today to honor Marty Brodeur, who may be the best goalie to play in the NHL ever, maybe one of the best hockey players ever,'' Harris said. ''I'd like to thank the St. Louis Blues for allowing him to come in. He's always going to be a Devil at heart.''
In his last season in New Jersey, Brodeur compiled a 19-14-16 record with a .901 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average in 39 games, while splitting time with Cory Schneider.
Schneider is firmly entrenched as New Jersey's No. 1 goaltender, having signed a seven-year, $42 million extension in July 2014. Last season, his first as a starting goaltender in the NHL, Schneider finished with a 26-31-9 mark in 69 games and had a .925 save percentage and 2.26 goals against average.
''My last season in New Jersey I didn't play as much as I wanted to,'' said Brodeur, who denied there was a rift between him and former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. ''For good reason. Look at the guy you have between the pipes now. Because I didn't sign back or didn't work right away (after retiring as an active player) with the Devils, people came to those conclusions.
''I took a step back and it worked out really well. I was happy I played a few games somewhere else, a different organization, to really have a stop in my career to say, `Wow, I tried it, I played somewhere else.' Last year was time to retire, and I couldn't be happier than I am now.''
He retired on Jan. 29 and was immediately hired as a Blues' special assistant to GM Doug Armstrong. In May, he was promoted to assistant GM.
The Canadian has now made his home in St. Louis. But he was asked if he could envision returning to the franchise and the state where he got his start.
''My kids grew up here, I still own a place here,'' he said. ''We'll see what the future brings. I'm really happy with what I'm doing.''
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Blackhawks aiming for historic title
October 6, 2015
CHICAGO (AP) When it was all over - all the days with the Stanley Cup, the trades, the free-agent departures - the core of the Chicago Blackhawks just shrugged and went back to work.
There is precious little time for sentiment when you are trying to become the first repeat NHL champion in almost two decades.
''I feel pretty confident,'' forward Marian Hossa said. ''I think we have lots of great players in this dressing room, lots of new faces, but I think there's lots of energy in this room. Lots of guys are hungry, and I think that's important.''
Chicago won its third title in six seasons when it defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in June. While the party lasted for much of the summer, the final bill was significant.
The core group of seven players who have their name on the Cup for each of the three titles took a hit when Patrick Sharp was traded to Dallas. Walking a tricky line with the salary cap, the Blackhawks also traded away rising star Brandon Saad and forward Kris Versteeg. Defenseman Johnny Oduya and centers Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette left in free agency.
The offseason turnover was reminiscent of the aftermath of Chicago's 2010 championship, and the Blackhawks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the next two years. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism this time around.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Hossa lead a very potent group of forwards, and Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson are back to anchor the defense in front of Corey Crawford. Artem Anisimov came over from Columbus in the Saad deal, giving the Blackhawks a big center to play on the second line behind Toews.
''I think that the room here, I think we've got lots of leaders,'' Hossa said. ''I think they're not satisfied. We turn the page and we try to focus on a new season.''
The Blackhawks also have longtime coach Joel Quenneville back for his eighth season with the team. His ability to find the right combinations with all the new players and keep the core group healthy also could be key.
''Our division, conference, never been better,'' Quenneville said. ''I expect everybody to be hungry when they play us. I would say making the playoffs this year, no matter what team you are, is going to be a great accomplishment.''
Here are a few more things to watch with the Blackhawks:
KANE'S SEASON:
Kane is the subject of a sexual assault investigation in western New York. The All-Star winger has not been charged, and has said he expects to be exonerated. Kane, who is heading into the first season of an $84 million, eight-year contract extension, has been with the team since the start of training camp last month, leading to some criticism of the Blackhawks and the league.
PANARIN'S POTENTIAL:
Several NHL teams were interested in Artemi Panarin before the Russian forward signed with Chicago last May. The rookie was limited by an upper-body injury during the preseason, but the Blackhawks raved about his talent and ability.
''I think he could be fun to watch,'' Quenneville said. ''Kid's got a real nice gift of finding pucks and getting it off quickly.''
TEUVO TIME:
Long one of Chicago's top prospects, it looked as if forward Teuvo Teravainen came into his own during the playoffs. He had two goals and two assists in the Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay. Teravainen has great vision and a good shot. His continued development could help make up for the lost production with the departure of Sharp and Saad.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Oduya was one of four defensemen who carried the load for the Blackhawks in the last postseason. He also had five assists in 23 playoffs games. With Oduya gone, Chicago's defensive pairings could be a work in progress at the start of the year. The Blackhawks got Trevor Daley in the trade that sent Sharp to Dallas, and Trevor van Riemsdyk also returns after a promising debut last season.
ONE-TWO PUNCH:
Crawford and Scott Darling could be one of the NHL's best goaltender tandems. Crawford had 32 wins last season with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Darling came up with a couple of huge performances in Chicago's run to the Cup.
October 7, 2015
ST. LOUIS (AP) The St. Louis Blues signed forward Scott Gomez to a one-year contract Wednesday.
The 35-year-old Gomez, a 15-year NHL veteran, attended training camp on a professional tryout. He had seven goals and 27 assists in 58 games last season for New Jersey.
St. Louis added forward Scottie Upshall on Monday, also after a tryout.
The Blues placed forward Patrik Berglund on long-term injured reserve. Berglund underwent shoulder surgery in August and will be evaluated in four months.
St. Louis said defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and forward Alexander Steen will be assistant captains.
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Torres won't appeal 41-game suspension
October 7, 2015
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres will not appeal his 41-game suspension for an illegal check to the head of Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg in a preseason game.
The NHLPA said Wednesday that Torres will not contest the longest suspension in NHL history for a hit on another player.
This marks the fifth and most significant suspension for Torres in his career. His previous longest ban had been a 21-game suspension - initially 25 games - for a high hit on Chicago's Marian Hossa in the first round of the playoffs in 2012 when he played for Arizona.
Torres was suspended for the final six games of the playoffs in 2013 with San Jose for a hit to the head against Los Angeles' Jarret Stoll. Torres was also suspended for two games in January 2012 and April 2011 for hits.
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Devils to retire Martin Brodeur's No. 30
October 6, 2015
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) Shortly after Martin Brodeur was selected by the New Jersey Devils with the 20th pick in the 1990 NHL draft, the 18-year-old goaltender was confused.
He ''didn't know where New Jersey was,'' Brodeur recalled Tuesday with his trademark grin. Twenty-five years later, he and the franchise are permanently linked.
The Devils will retire the No. 30 jersey of their longtime goaltender and erect a statue during ceremonies Feb. 9 at the game against the Edmonton Oilers.
Brodeur played 21 seasons for New Jersey, leading the Devils to three Stanley Cup titles (1995, 2000, 2003) and winning the Vezina Trophy four times as the NHL's top goalie.
His jersey will join those of defensemen Scott Stevens, Ken Daneyko and Scott Niedermayer in the rafters.
''I'll be right beside the three defensemen who really helped me out be the goalie that I was,'' Brodeur said.
Brodeur retired last season after playing seven games with the St. Louis Blues, where he now serves as an assistant general manager. He left the game with NHL records for games played (1,266), wins (691) and shutouts (125).
''Very few athletes attain these type of heights in any sport,'' said Josh Harris, the owner of the Devils.
Also in attendance were CEO Scott O'Neil, President Hugh Weber, GM Ray Shero, coach John Hynes, the current team, plus several hundred fans.
''We're here today to honor Marty Brodeur, who may be the best goalie to play in the NHL ever, maybe one of the best hockey players ever,'' Harris said. ''I'd like to thank the St. Louis Blues for allowing him to come in. He's always going to be a Devil at heart.''
In his last season in New Jersey, Brodeur compiled a 19-14-16 record with a .901 save percentage and 2.51 goals against average in 39 games, while splitting time with Cory Schneider.
Schneider is firmly entrenched as New Jersey's No. 1 goaltender, having signed a seven-year, $42 million extension in July 2014. Last season, his first as a starting goaltender in the NHL, Schneider finished with a 26-31-9 mark in 69 games and had a .925 save percentage and 2.26 goals against average.
''My last season in New Jersey I didn't play as much as I wanted to,'' said Brodeur, who denied there was a rift between him and former Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. ''For good reason. Look at the guy you have between the pipes now. Because I didn't sign back or didn't work right away (after retiring as an active player) with the Devils, people came to those conclusions.
''I took a step back and it worked out really well. I was happy I played a few games somewhere else, a different organization, to really have a stop in my career to say, `Wow, I tried it, I played somewhere else.' Last year was time to retire, and I couldn't be happier than I am now.''
He retired on Jan. 29 and was immediately hired as a Blues' special assistant to GM Doug Armstrong. In May, he was promoted to assistant GM.
The Canadian has now made his home in St. Louis. But he was asked if he could envision returning to the franchise and the state where he got his start.
''My kids grew up here, I still own a place here,'' he said. ''We'll see what the future brings. I'm really happy with what I'm doing.''
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Blackhawks aiming for historic title
October 6, 2015
CHICAGO (AP) When it was all over - all the days with the Stanley Cup, the trades, the free-agent departures - the core of the Chicago Blackhawks just shrugged and went back to work.
There is precious little time for sentiment when you are trying to become the first repeat NHL champion in almost two decades.
''I feel pretty confident,'' forward Marian Hossa said. ''I think we have lots of great players in this dressing room, lots of new faces, but I think there's lots of energy in this room. Lots of guys are hungry, and I think that's important.''
Chicago won its third title in six seasons when it defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in six games in June. While the party lasted for much of the summer, the final bill was significant.
The core group of seven players who have their name on the Cup for each of the three titles took a hit when Patrick Sharp was traded to Dallas. Walking a tricky line with the salary cap, the Blackhawks also traded away rising star Brandon Saad and forward Kris Versteeg. Defenseman Johnny Oduya and centers Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette left in free agency.
The offseason turnover was reminiscent of the aftermath of Chicago's 2010 championship, and the Blackhawks lost in the first round of the playoffs in each of the next two years. But there are plenty of reasons for optimism this time around.
Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Hossa lead a very potent group of forwards, and Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson are back to anchor the defense in front of Corey Crawford. Artem Anisimov came over from Columbus in the Saad deal, giving the Blackhawks a big center to play on the second line behind Toews.
''I think that the room here, I think we've got lots of leaders,'' Hossa said. ''I think they're not satisfied. We turn the page and we try to focus on a new season.''
The Blackhawks also have longtime coach Joel Quenneville back for his eighth season with the team. His ability to find the right combinations with all the new players and keep the core group healthy also could be key.
''Our division, conference, never been better,'' Quenneville said. ''I expect everybody to be hungry when they play us. I would say making the playoffs this year, no matter what team you are, is going to be a great accomplishment.''
Here are a few more things to watch with the Blackhawks:
KANE'S SEASON:
Kane is the subject of a sexual assault investigation in western New York. The All-Star winger has not been charged, and has said he expects to be exonerated. Kane, who is heading into the first season of an $84 million, eight-year contract extension, has been with the team since the start of training camp last month, leading to some criticism of the Blackhawks and the league.
PANARIN'S POTENTIAL:
Several NHL teams were interested in Artemi Panarin before the Russian forward signed with Chicago last May. The rookie was limited by an upper-body injury during the preseason, but the Blackhawks raved about his talent and ability.
''I think he could be fun to watch,'' Quenneville said. ''Kid's got a real nice gift of finding pucks and getting it off quickly.''
TEUVO TIME:
Long one of Chicago's top prospects, it looked as if forward Teuvo Teravainen came into his own during the playoffs. He had two goals and two assists in the Stanley Cup Final against Tampa Bay. Teravainen has great vision and a good shot. His continued development could help make up for the lost production with the departure of Sharp and Saad.
GETTING DEFENSIVE:
Oduya was one of four defensemen who carried the load for the Blackhawks in the last postseason. He also had five assists in 23 playoffs games. With Oduya gone, Chicago's defensive pairings could be a work in progress at the start of the year. The Blackhawks got Trevor Daley in the trade that sent Sharp to Dallas, and Trevor van Riemsdyk also returns after a promising debut last season.
ONE-TWO PUNCH:
Crawford and Scott Darling could be one of the NHL's best goaltender tandems. Crawford had 32 wins last season with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .924 save percentage. Darling came up with a couple of huge performances in Chicago's run to the Cup.
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