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**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:07 AM

New Seattle NHL arena remains on schedule for summer of 2021
September 16, 2019
By The Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) The arena for Seattle's NHL expansion franchise remains on track to open sometime in the summer of 2021.

Construction officials said Monday that the entire bowl of the former KeyArena has been demolished and excavation work is ongoing. Officials hope to begin digging down 15 feet from the current floor by year's end and to spend most of 2020 constructing the new seating bowl from the bottom up.

Ken Johnsen, who is overseeing the construction project for Oak View Group and the NHL franchise, says the most challenge part so far has been putting in supports to take on the weight of the 44 million-pound roof, which is staying in place. The new arena is being built under the roof, which has historical landmark status.

Johnsen says the budget for the project remains around $930 million.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:09 AM

2019-20 Rocket Richard Odds
July 28, 2019
By VI News

Point Totals · Division Odds · Playoff Props ·

Rocket Richard OddsThe Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook released odds on which player will win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy for the 2019-20 regular season.

It is given to the NHL leading goal scorer in the regular season.

Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals has won the award each of the last two seasons and six of the past seven. Overall, he's an eight-time winner of the Richard Trophy.

To no surprise, the SuperBook has him listed as the favorite to win again in the 2019-20 season.

Odds to win Rocket Richard Trophy
Alex Ovechkin 7/1
John Tavares 10/1
Connor McDavid 12/1
Patrik Laine 14/1
Alex Debrincat 16/1
Auston Matthews 16/1
Leon Draisaitl 18/1
Nathan Mackinnon 18/1
Nikita Kucherov 20/1
Patrick Kane 20/1
Mark Scheifele 25/1
Steven Stamkos 30/1
Taylor Hall 40/1
Brayden Point 40/1
Cam Atkinson 40/1
Jake Guentzel 40/1
Jeff Skinner 40/1
Aleksander Barkov 40/1
David Pastrnak 40/1
Mark Stone 40/1
Mike Hoffman 40/1
Sidney Crosby 40/1
Max Pacioretty 60/1
Vladimir Tarasenko 60/1
Brad Marchand 60/1
Elias Pettersson 60/1
Joe Pavelski 80/1
Johnny Gaudreau 60/1
Gabriel Landeskog 80/1
Evgeni Malkin 80/1
Matthew Tkachuk 80/1
Tomas Hertl 100/1
Dylan Larkin 100/1
Jack Hughes 100/1
Alexander Radulov 100/1
Jonathan Toews 100/1
Artemi Panarin 100/1
Matt Duchene 100/1
Mikko Rantanen 100/1
Mitchell Marner 100/1
Patrice Bergeron 100/1
Sean Couturier 100/1
Sean Monahan 100/1
Sebastian Aho 100/1
Tyler Johnson 100/1
Tyler Seguin 100/1
Viktor Arvidsson 100/1
Phil Kessel 100/1
Andreas Athanasiou 200/1
Bo Horvat 200/1
Elias Lindholm 200/1
Jack Eichel 200/1
Jaden Schwartz 200/1
James Van Riemsdyk 200/1
Jonathan Huberdeau 200/1
Jonathan Marchessault 200/1
Kaapo Kakko 200/1
Kyle Connor 200/1
Anders Lee 200/1
Brendan Gallagher 200/1
Brock Boeser 200/1
Chris Kreider 200/1
Evgenii Dadonov 200/1
Filip Forsberg 200/1
Jake Debrusk 200/1
Jamie Benn 200/1
Josh Anderson 200/1
Kyle Palmieri 200/1
Logan Couture 200/1
Max Domi 200/1
Mika Zibanejad 300/1
Nikita Gusev 300/1
Pierre-Luc Dubois 300/1
Ryan Dzingel 300/1
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins 300/1
Ryan O'Reilly 300/1
Timo Meier 300/1
William Karlsson 300/1
Zach Parise 300/1
Evander Kane 300/1
Alex Tuch 300/1

Odds Subject to Change

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:10 AM

NHL players stay with CBA, deal set
September 16, 2019
By The Associated Press

The National Hockey League will play its next three seasons without the threat of a work stoppage amid optimism that labor peace will stretch beyond 2022.

The NHL Players' Association on Monday announced it would not opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement. Combined with the owners' decision earlier this month not to trigger their opt-out clause, the current CBA remains in effect until September 2022 and the sides will continue working on an extension.

''While players have concerns with the current CBA, we agree with the league that working together to address those concerns is the preferred course of action instead of terminating the agreement following this season,'' NHLPA executive director Don Fehr said. ''We have been having discussions with the league about an extension of the CBA and expect that those talks will continue.''

Not terminating the CBA is a positive sign that negotiations are progressing toward an extension that could last until 2025 or 2026. That would be the longest period of labor peace in hockey in decades.

''Ultimately, it's nice there's going to be labor peace now for the next three seasons,'' Philadelphia Flyers player representative James van Riemsdyk said. ''That's going to be good for everyone, and I'm sure fans are excited. I'm sure they hate hearing about that stuff.''

Owners and players have been meeting since February and sessions increased in frequency in recent weeks. When the league also did not opt out of the CBA, Commissioner Gary Bettman cited momentum and the importance of labor peace overriding any issues the owners might have.

Bettman said Monday the league is pleased with the players' decision and looked ''forward to continuing to work with the NHLPA for the benefit of all stakeholders, especially our fans.''

Players made significant concessions in the last CBA, which was agreed to in 2013. Escrow payments, health care, Olympic participation and what qualifies as hockey-related revenue are things players have cited as some of their top concerns.

Vancouver Canucks player representative Bo Horvat said escrow is still the main topic players want to fix, and there seems to be general agreement across the union about that.

''Obviously it's the greatest league to play in, but you want it to be fair and stuff like that,'' Washington Capitals forward Chandler Stephenson said.

Players held two conference calls in recent days to discuss the situation after almost 50 met in person in Chicago on Sept. 4. Very little information has come out of the talks, which is considered a signal of a more united NHLPA and optimism that progress was being made.

''Every time you have any type of negotiation between two parties, those are the two parties that should be talking and it should not be through media or a third party because there's a lot of things that get twisted and the more time the story gets told, something will change a little bit,'' New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist said recently. ''If you can stick to just talking to the other side, I think it's easier to get to the right answers and solutions.''

In a departure from labor negotiations of 2004-05 and 2012-13 that were full of rancor, Fehr has called this round cordial and pleasant. Bettman referred to it as ''joint problem-solving'' rather than a combative relationship.

''It's a dialogue that continues,'' Bettman said. ''It's a relationship that's important, there's mutual respect, there's good communication flow and we're busy focused on what may for each of our constituents be the appropriate path forward.''

The league and players seem to be on the same page at least in drawing up a calendar of more international play, which could mean another World Cup of Hockey as soon as February 2021. Hockey business is booming, and the NHL will be able to negotiate a new U.S. television rights deal that begins in 2021.

''I'm very optimistic about future possibilities, especially with U.S. media negotiations coming up in an environment that we haven't yet had an opportunity to negotiate in,'' Bettman said. ''I remain very optimistic that revenues will continue to grow and will grow at a very healthy rate.''

The health of the league is a significant reason why neither players nor owners wanted to set up another labor confrontation over the next 12 months. If talks became contentious, there remains the threat of games being canceled for the fourth time since 1994.

''Just kind of hearing guys that went through the last one, it was kind of more of a war than a negotiation,'' Stephenson said. ''I don't know if the players want to go through that again or even the owners.''

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:12 AM

Reports: Leafs, Marner agree on deal
September 13, 2019
By The Associated Press

TORONTO (AP) Restricted free-agent forward Mitch Marner has agreed to a six-year contract to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Maple Leafs confirmed the deal Friday night. The contract has an average annual value of $10,893,000.

''I'm exactly where I want to be, in front of the greatest hockey fans in the world, proudly continuing the tradition with the (at)MapleLeafs. See you soon,'' Marner tweeted.

The 22-year-old Marner missed the team's golf event Wednesday and didn't accompany the group to Newfoundland on Thursday for the start of training camp as his representatives continued to negotiate with general manager Kyle Dubas.

Marner led the Maple Leafs last season with career highs in points (94) and assists (68). He also had a career-best 26 goals.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:13 AM

Rangers begin camp with playoff goal
September 14, 2019
By The Associated Press

The New York Rangers have two clear goals this season: to keep improving and return to the playoffs after a two-year absence.

The addition of forwards Artemi Panarin and Kaapo Kakko, and defenseman Jacob Trouba this summer helped accelerate the team's rebuild, and now the Rangers believe they are ready to take the next step in the second year under coach David Quinn.

''We want to make the playoffs,'' Quinn said Friday at the team's practice facility in Greenburgh, New York, `Obviously it's something we want to accomplish. The moves we made over the summer are just a continuation of what we've been doing over the last 16, 17 months. Within the walls of our locker room and the walls of this building, we feel good about the direction we're going in and we're going to continue to get better daily.''

The Rangers went into rebuilding mode by dealing some veterans at the trade deadline in 2018 and continued it at last season's deadline. There were a lot of ups and downs in the first full season of the makeover, and they finished 32-36-14. New York had just five wins in its last 21 games (5-10-6) to end up seventh in the eight-team Metropolitan Division, 20 points out of the last wild card in the Eastern Conference.

Now, the team that began training camp with on-ice testing on Friday has even higher expectations than the one that left for the summer five months earlier.

''I want improvement,'' Rangers team president John Davidson told reporters one day earlier: ''Playoffs is a goal for sure, but there's got to be improvement the right way that you can count on long-term to get gratification out of the season.''

Quinn believes the familiarity the returning players have with his system should help their second training camp together get off to a better start than a year ago. And they should be better prepared for their coach's physical demands.

''They certainly have done everything we've asked them to do away from the rink,'' Quinn said. ''They look in better shape, they're a little bit older, a little bit more mature. We just want to continue to build on the progress they made last year.''

Signing Panarin in free agency was a big boost. The 27-year-old had 28 goals and 59 assists last season while helping Columbus get the last wild card in the Eastern Conference and then beat Presidents' Trophy-winning Tampa Bay to advance to the second round. He brings career totals of 116 goals and 204 assists in 322 games over four seasons with Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks.

Kakko was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in this year's NHL draft, and Trouba was acquired in a trade with Winnipeg and then signed as a restricted free-agent.

Davidson, who rejoined the organization in May after stepping down as the president of the Columbus Blue Jackets, knows Panarin well.

''He's competitive, really competitive,'' Davidson said. ''The big spots in games, he likes to find a way. ... He's' a guy that's going to show up for work every day and you don't have to worry about him.

''He's very strong, strong on the puck, strong in loose-puck battles.''

Some other things to know as the Rangers head into their first practice sessions on Saturday:

BETWEEN THE PIPES: Henrik Lundqvist back for his 15th season after going 18-23-10, with career-worst of a 3.07 goals-against average and a .907 save-percentage. It also marked the first time he had fewer than 24 wins.

Alexandar Georgiev is coming off a solid season as the backup, going 14-13-4 with a 2.91 GAA. The 23-year-old could be challenged for the No. 2 spot by Igor Shesterkin, the Rangers' fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft, who has come over from the KHL.

Davidson and Quinn both said they don't have a target for games in mind for Lundqvist, but don't want to overuse him.

''We want him to have a great season so that when we do make the playoffs he's in a position where he's fresh,'' Quinn said.

LINE COMBINATIONS: Quinn said he plans on starting camp with Pavel Buchnevich joining the first line with Panarin and Mika Zibanejad. Filip Chytil will get a look at centering the second line with Chris Kreider on the left wing and possibly Kakko or fellow rookie Vitali Kravtsov on the other side.

Lias Andersson and Brett Howden will get chances in the middle on subsequent lines. Ryan Strome is likely to start out on a wing, but could also see some time at center.

O CAPTAIN, MY CAPTAIN: The Rangers haven't had a captain since trading Ryan McDonagh at the deadline in 2018, and there doesn't appear to be a standout favorite to fill that role.

''I think we'd like to have a captain but that's something that's going to evolve,'' Quinn said. ''We're in a situation where it's going to happen and the captain will pick himself in a lot of ways.''

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:14 AM

After short summer, Hurricanes optimistic
September 13, 2019
By The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) Defenseman Brett Pesce and the Carolina Hurricanes zipped up and down the ice again, less than four months after wrapping up last season way later than usual.

For a team that suffered through plenty of long summers, they can get used to these quick turnarounds.

The Hurricanes opened preseason camp Friday looking to build off the momentum they generated during last season's run to the Eastern Conference final - their first playoff appearance since 2009.

All those years of missing the postseason meant plenty of Aprils and Mays away from the rink. But of course, they're happy to trade that extra recovery time for deep playoff runs.

''You play the game not to have long summers, right?'' Pesce asked.

The Hurricanes are hoping a few changes lead to even better results.

''We've got to find those eight extra wins,'' second-year coach Rod Brind'Amour said.

Carolina, one of the NHL's hottest teams during the second half of last season, upset Washington in a seven-game series and swept the New York Islanders in the second round before the Hurricanes themselves were swept by Boston in the conference final series.

''It was a good experience for all of us to get the playoff run and to get close to doing something special,'' forward Teuvo Teravainen said. ''I like this team a lot, so I feel like even with a shorter summer, the guys are pretty young - a lot of young players who have taken care of their bodies and are ready for this year.''

Sebastian Aho was here - and the 22-year-old forward probably will be here for a while after the Hurricanes matched the $42 million offer sheet extended to him by Montreal. So was veteran defenseman Jake Gardiner, who last week signed with Carolina for four years after spending much of the summer looking for a deal.

''Another great piece to our club,'' Brind'Amour said. ''The sooner he can feel comfortable, then he's going to be at his best.''

Defenseman Justin Faulk was there, too, once again as the subject of trade speculation brought about by the acquisition of Gardiner and the salary cap concerns it created. Faulk said his preference is to stay with the Hurricanes.

''It happens. I'm not the first person in the league to see their name's thrown out there,'' Faulk said. ''I'm still here and ready to work and show up and do my thing.''

The most noticeable absence: Justin Williams. The captain of last year's group drug out his decision for this season into September before deciding to "step away" from the sport to start the year, leaving the door open to a possible return eventually. The move could leave a leadership void in a still-young dressing room.

While players and coaches have insisted they're proceeding as though Williams won't be back, reminders of him remain at PNC Arena: A larger-than-life photo of Williams remains affixed to the glass outside one entrance.

''I'm sure he's enjoying himself,'' Brind'Amour said with a smile, ''and happy not to have to grind it out right now.''

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:16 AM

Bruins sign D McAvoy to 3-year, $14.7 million deal
September 15, 2019
By The Associated Press

BOSTON (AP) Charlie McAvoy finally made it to training camp, and the Boston Bruins greeted him with a hearty stick tap salute.

''I didn't want that,'' he said sheepishly on Sunday after returning to the defending Eastern Conference champions for a $14.7 million, three-year deal. ''I'm just glad to be back. Tomorrow, hopefully I won't get a stick tap and I'll just be one of the guys again.''

A 21-year-old defenseman who has already grown into one of the Bruins' top blue liners, McAvoy is signed through at least 2021-22. Although negotiations stretched into training camp, which started on Thursday, he said he never wanted to play anywhere else.

''There's no place I'd rather be to be a part of such an incredible group of men. It's a blast to come to the rink every day,'' he said. ''We have a lot of motivation this year. We have something really special with this group.''

McAvoy had seven goals and 21 assists in 54 regular-season games last year, leading the team in ice time - even more than longtime iron man Zdeno Chara - with an average of 22 minutes, 10 seconds per game. He had two goals and six assists in the postseason, when he averaged 24:30 on ice.

''He has a great teacher, as well, in `Z,''' coach Bruce Cassidy said.

McAvoy said he has a lot to learn, and ''the sky is the limit'' for what he and the team can accomplish together. The Bruins have posted back-to-back 100-point seasons, and last year they reached the Stanley Cup Final before losing to the St. Louis Blues in seven games.

''My goal is to go out and become the best hockey player I can be. To grow into one of the best defensemen, hopefully in the league,'' he said. ''I plan to push myself every single day. I feel like there's a bit of a window here to do just that.''

The new deal will leave him with two more seasons of restricted free agency, and general manager Don Sweeney said McAvoy would be with the Bruins for three years ''and many years moving forward.'' McAvoy said he wasn't interested in squeezing out the franchise's last penny.

''I don't know if I'm built for that,'' he said. ''I just want to play hockey; that's the thing. And now I get to do that.''

Sweeney said his goal now is to work out a deal with defenseman Brandon Carlo, who is also a restricted free agent. The team has about $3.2 million left in cap space, and Sweeney says that should be enough.

Cassidy, who got a contract extension last week, said he feels fortunate to have McAvoy and the 22-year-old Carlo on defense for the foreseeable future. For now, they will have the 42-year-old Chara as a coach on the ice.

And they'll be able to take over for the 2009 Norris Trophy winner when he eventually retires.

That has to happen sometime, right?

''Who says?'' Cassidy said.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:17 AM

Wild sign Spurgeon to 7-year, $53M deal
September 14, 2019
By The Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) The Minnesota Wild signed defenseman Jared Spurgeon to a $53.025 million, seven-year extension Saturday that will begin next season and go through the 2026-27 season.

The deal carries an annual value of $7.575 million.

The 29-year-old Spurgeon set career highs last season of 14 goals, 29 assists, 152 shots on goal, 91 hits and 82 games played. He led the Wild with 145 blocked shots and was second behind Ryan Suter in time on ice with an average of 24:09 per game.

The 5-foot-9, 166-pound Spurgeon was drafted in the sixth round in 2008 by the New York Islanders, but the Wild signed him as a free agent before the 2010-11 season.

He has blossomed into one of the team's indispensable players, ranking in the top 20 among NHL defensemen over the last four years in goals, power play goals, blocked shots and time on ice.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:18 AM

Pavelski, Perry switch to Stars
September 14, 2019
By The Associated Press

FRISCO, Texas (AP) Joe Pavelski joined the Dallas Stars as an expensive free agent coming off one of his best goal-scoring years, while Corey Perry quietly signed a low-cost deal for one year after playing the fewest games of his career because of a knee injury.

That's where the differences end for the veteran forwards trying to help the Stars make back-to-back playoff trips for the first time in more than a decade. The Stars will try to get past the second round after a Game 7 overtime loss to St. Louis, eventual winners of the Stanley Cup.

Pavelski and Perry both ended up on the same team after lengthy careers with the clubs that drafted them - 13 years for Pavelski in San Jose and 14 seasons for Perry with Anaheim, including a Cup title.

''It's different. It's fun,'' said Pavelski, who signed a $21 million, three-year deal. ''It's an exciting part of our career and it's a change that I think you come in and you embrace that there's going to be different things and learn to do it their way and help add to that how you can.

''It's definitely fun to have a guy coming in with a similar situation.''

Pavelski scored 38 goals last regular season, three off his career high, and helped the Sharks reach the Western Conference finals. San Jose had the most successful stretch in franchise history during the four years he was captain, winning six playoff series.

The 35-year-old figures to play on one of the top lines, probably alongside either captain Jamie Benn or 2018-19 scoring leader Tyler Seguin. The Sharks wanted to re-sign Pavelski but couldn't make it work under the salary cap after giving defenseman Erik Karlsson a $92 million contract.

Circumstances are a bit different for Perry, who is younger than Pavelski (34) but has seen declining production the past three seasons. Perry might miss the Oct. 3 opener at home against Boston after breaking a bone in his foot two days before the start of training camp.

Even when he's healthy, Perry isn't likely to fill a leading role similar to that of Pavelski. Both were drafted in 2003 - Perry with the 28th overall pick in the first round by the Ducks, Pavelski in the seventh round by the Sharks.

''It's a new chapter,'' said Perry, who signed for $1.5 million after the Ducks bought out the final two years of the contract for the franchise leader in games (988). ''It's something different. I'm embracing it as change is sometimes a good thing, rejuvenates myself and my career.''

Benn figures Dallas is as good a place as any for two guys to start over after each spent so long with the only team he had known.

''I'm sure it's pretty different for them,'' Benn said. ''But we make it pretty easy for guys to come into this group. It's something I take pride in being a captain is we want guys to be comfortable right from Day 1. I think they're pretty comfortable. They're fitting in well.''

The Stars are counting on Pavelski for offense after finishing near the bottom of the league in goals during Benn's lowest-scoring full season since his rookie year in 2009-10. While Seguin led Dallas in points (80), goals (33) and assists (47), Benn scored just 53 points (27 goals, 26 assists).

''Obviously, he's a goal-scorer,'' Seguin said of Pavelski. ''But the biggest thing for him, too, is he's another threat out there. You have him in the slot now and guys got to respect him. It'll open up guys like me maybe for one-timers now and Jamie in front, so who knows.''

Despite career lows across the board because of the knee injury, Perry is a former champion (2007) and the only player on the Dallas roster with a 50-goal season (50 in 2010-11, when he was the NHL MVP).

''I think they're a little different some ways,'' Seguin said. ''I think with Joe you saw how San Jose rallied around him. He's kind of more of a quiet leader. I think Corey Perry, he's got the ultimate hockey player resume. He's won everything. He's been in every situation, and he's going to know what to say at those moments.''

Seguin has emerged as a leader a year after signing a $79 million, eight-year extension that kicks in this season, adding him to a mix that includes Benn, veteran forward Alexander Radulov and goalie Ben Bishop, a Vezina Trophy finalist last season.

But there's always room for more, particularly for a franchise that hasn't made consecutive trips to the playoffs since the last of five straight postseason appearances in 2008.

''I think we have a couple of levels still to go in how we want to be and what we want to be about as a team,'' second-year coach Jim Montgomery said. ''Those two are going to help propel us there.''

Pavelski and Perry start with some common ground.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:20 AM

Penguins excited for fresh start after disappointing finish
September 13, 2019
By The Associated Press

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pa. (AP) The Pittsburgh Penguins are excited for a fresh start.

Sidney Crosby and the Penguins became the first team in a generation to win consecutive championships a little more than two years ago. But the Penguins stumbled into an extended offseason last spring when the New York Islanders swept them from the first round of the playoffs.

That left general manager Jim Rutherford to wonder aloud after the season whether some of his players were too content because they've won a couple of Stanley Cups.

Crosby and the Penguins are out to prove that's not the case.

''I think there's a certain level of hunger and urgency and desperation you have to have if you're getting through the playoffs,'' Crosby said Friday as the Penguins opened training camp.

''Sometimes you think because you have experience that it automatically gives you an edge. It does if you use it, but if you don't, it doesn't do much for you.''

Coach Mike Sullivan believes his team can be a championship-caliber group again. But he stressed a daily focus and attention to detail, a brand of intelligent and responsible hockey Sullivan has tried to instill since he took over in December 2015.

''I think this team is capable of doing some real good things,'' Sullivan said. ''But we have to earn it every day. It's not inevitable. There's a nice feeling around the team. I think everyone is excited about the opportunity and possibilities that we have.''

The Penguins traded winger Phil Kessel to Arizona for Alex Galchenyuk in the offseason.

The 31-year-old Kessel scored 27 goals and 82 points last season, his fourth with the Penguins. He was a vital part of Pittsburgh's run to consecutive Stanley Cups, finishing second to Crosby for the 2016 Conn Smythe Trophy, while scoring 18 goals and 45 points, as the Penguins became the first team in nearly two decades to win back-to-back titles.

Rutherford spoke of a culture change in the dressing room following the season, and while Kessel is now in Arizona, the Penguins will still need to replace his production.

''Phil produced for us, it's no secret,'' Crosby said. ''Nobody has to come in here and put up the same stat lines he did. It's pretty tough to fill those shoes. I think collectively we're going to have to find ways to make up for that.''

Evgeni Malkin seeks a bounce-back season after the 2012 NHL MVP, and two-time scoring champion, ended a career-worst minus-25 with just 21 goals, his lowest full-season output in almost a decade. The 33-year-old spoke said Friday he wants to be a better leader this season.

''Last year, I'm not happy, for sure,'' Malkin said. ''Now, it's a new challenge this year. I want back, my highest level. I can still play at the top level. I want to show everyone I'm not done.''

Malkin skated alongside Galchenyuk and free agent pickup Brandon Tanev on Friday.

The 25-year-old Galchenyuk has put up five consecutive 40-point seasons, and can play both ends of the ice. The 27-year-old Tanev spent his first four seasons in Winnipeg, and also has a reputation as a strong penalty killer and a hard-working, two-way player. He set career highs with 18 goals and 29 points last year.

Pittsburgh also traded for forward Dominik Kahun in the offseason. The 24-year-old played in all 82 games for Chicago in his first NHL season and finished with 13 goals and 37 points. On Friday, Kahun played on a line with Crosby and 24-year-old Jake Guentzel, who scored 40 goals last season.

Crosby and the Penguins are eager to add the new faces into the mix.

''I think it's exciting to build an identity and have a fresh start,'' Crosby said. ''When we won, we didn't sit here talking about June. Just like the fact that we got swept last year, it really doesn't matter at this point. We're all starting from the same spot.''

**StarDust Bum** · 09-17-2019, 02:21 AM

Sharks open camp with new captain after Pavelski's departure
September 13, 2019
By The Associated Press

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) The San Jose Sharks wasted little time in replacing Joe Pavelski as captain, giving the role to Logan Couture even before starting camp.

Figuring out who will wear the ''C'' on the jersey will be easier than making up for all Pavelski provided the Sharks both on and off the ice over his years in San Jose.

''It's not going to be the same,'' Couture said Friday after the first practice at training camp since losing Pavelski to Dallas in free agency this summer. ''It's the (bad) part of professional sports when friends move on. That's the way it goes, unfortunate but we'll move on with the group we have here.''

Pavelski had a major impact on the ice with his 38 goals, while also leading in the dressing room and on the ice. Teammates like Couture and new alternate captain Tomas Hertl called it ''weird'' to not have him around anymore.

Pavelski debuted with the Sharks in 2006 and was captain the past four seasons in San Jose. He helped the team make the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in franchise history in 2016 and then helped take them to the conference final last year.

That playoff run featured Pavelski being knocked out with a concussion and getting stitches in his head after a bloody fall in Game 7 of the opening round series against Vegas. The injury sparked a comeback and Pavelski's return to the arena during Game 5 in the next round against Colorado provided an emotional boost. He scored a goal in his return to the ice in the Game 7 win over Colorado that sent the Sharks to the conference final.

''Losing Pavs is obviously going to be a big hole to fill, the way he played and how established he was in this room,'' defenseman Erik Karlsson said. ''Someone else will have to do his job and I think it will be a workload shared with different players throughout the course of the year. We'll just have to find a way to evolve and try and adapt to the players that we have in this room now.''

Couture will have help with Hertl, Karlsson, Joe Thornton and Brent Burns serving as alternates. Thornton and Karlsson both have captain experience, with Thornton holding that role previously in Boston and for four seasons in San Jose and Karlsson doing it in Ottawa.

Couture, who is entering the first year of an eight-year, $64 million extension, got the nod as a result of his years of leadership since becoming a key part of San Jose's team in 2010.

''I don't think it will change anything,'' he said. ''It's really just a different letter on the jersey. I'll be the same. I'm lucky here in San Jose there are a lot of leaders.''

Couture is coming off one of his most productive season, scoring a career high 70 points in the regular season and then leading the NHL with 14 goals in the playoffs.

Couture is outspoken and honest, holding teammates and himself accountable at all times. He has been at his best in the playoffs, where his 48 goals rank second to Alex Ovechkin since he made his first postseason appearance in 2010. His 101 points rank fourth in that span.

''Logan is the prototypical lead by example,'' coach Peter DeBoer said. ''He's going to go out, he's going to block a shot, play injured. He'll sacrifice his own personal stats for the benefit of the team by always doing the right thing. It's just in his DNA. I also think he has the ability to stand up and be heard with a tough message when it needs to be delivered.''

NOTES: The only player not ready for the start of camp was D Radim Simek, who had season-ending knee surgery last March. ... The Sharks play their first of six exhibition games next Tuesday against Anaheim. They will play Vegas twice in the preseason before starting the season with a home-and-home in a rematch of heated playoff series the past two seasons. ''Hopefully we won't kill each other before the season,'' Hertl said.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-19-2019, 03:13 AM

Thursday’s 6-pack

More NFL trends for Week 3:

— Bengals covered eight of last ten as a road underdog.

— Seattle is 8-3-2 ATS in last 13 non-division games.

— New England covered 13 of last 19 games vs AFC East foes.

— Colts covered one of their last six road openers.

— Miami covered twice in last eight games vs NFC teams.

— Atlanta covered three of last 13 non-divisional games.

Tweet of the Day
“I mean, this is something that’s serious. If his spleen bursts, then we have a problem.”
Jets’ coach Adam Gase on Sam Darnold’s mononucleosis

Thursday’s quiz
Where did Dan Marino play his college football?

Wednesday’s quiz
Ben McAdoo was the Giants’ head coach before Pat Shurmur.

Tuesday’s quiz
Jeff Fisher coached the Tennessee Titans in their only Super Bowl appearance.

*************************

Thursday’s List of 13: Doing some thinking out loud……

13) From Liam Stack (this story made me laugh):
A New Zealand man brought an emotional support clown to a meeting where he knew he’d be fired. The clown blew up balloons and folded them into a series of animals throughout the meeting, then mimed crying when the man was handed a pink slip.

Didn’t help; the guy still lost his job.

12) From Russell Baxter: 72 of the 106 Super Bowl teams started that season 2-0; only four of them started 0-2.

11) Atlanta Falcons play their first nine games this year in domes; their first of only three outdoor games is Week 11 (Nov 17) at Carolina.

10) From Ralph Michaels: Since 2016, under is 18-9 in college football games that had a total of 40 or less points.

9) Colts, Eagles and Packers are pretty banged up; they all scrapped their traditional Wednesday practices this week, and had walk-throughs instead.

8) David Fales would appear to be the Jets’ new backup QB; he’s thrown 48 passes in three NFL games, two for Miami in 2017 (with Adam Gase as coach) and one for Chicago in 2016. Fales played college ball at San Jose State.

7) Football stuff:
— Chiefs’ LT Eric Fisher is having core muscle surgery, is out this week.

6) Last time there was a week of NFL games where no team scored 30+ points was Week 9 in 1995, so long ago that the Houston Oilers won a game that week.

5) Pirates’ closer Felipe Vazquez was arrested in Pittsburgh Tuesday on charges of soliciting a child, computer pornography and providing obscene material to minors.

4) Giancarlo Stanton’s over/under home run total for this year was 41.5; wth 11 days left in this season, he has one homer and seven RBI.

3) A’s 1, Royals 0 (11)— Mark Canha got the walk-off hit on Mark Canha T-shirt Day and Chad Pinder made a great catch in left field to save two runs as Oakland won its 92nd game this year.

2) Four teams that got to the Super Bowl after starting season 0-2:
— 1993— Cowboys (won Super Bowl)
— 1996— Patriots (lost)
— 2001— Patriots (won)
— 2007— Giants (won)

1) From Annie Karni of the New York Times:

“Sean Spicer got a minimum of $125,000 to be on Dancing With the Stars, and the pay goes up with every week he stays on.”

We live in a very strange world.

**StarDust Bum** · 09-19-2019, 03:16 AM

Blues surrounded by tough teams in West
September 18, 2019
By The Associated Press

St. Louis had better dig in for its repeat bid.

The defending Stanley Cup champion Blues will have their hands full in the Western Conference, which seems to have a slew of contenders. And, every team in the entire league is going to give the Blues its best shot each game.

''There's going to be a whole different feel for us that we've got to figure out, `OK, how can we elevate our game?' We're not going to catch teams by surprise,'' said Blues center Ryan O'Reilly, last season's playoff MVP and top defensive forward. ''We're going to need to make changes and grow ourselves to be better this year and to do it again.''

Dallas, Vegas, Calgary, Colorado, San Jose and Winnipeg all go into the season with a shot to knock off St. Louis and keep the Cup in the West after the coveted trophy was won by Eastern Conference teams the previous three years. And even though the Nashville Predators appears to be somewhat overlooked this season, it's not wise to count them out in the race, especially with the addition of center Matt Duchene.

The Central Division, which may earn both wild cards again in the conference, may be the strongest in the NHL.

''It's hard not to say the Central with the Blues being in it,'' Arizona center Derek Stepan said.

SHINING STARS

Dallas seems set up for success with star players all over the place, giving the franchise a legitimate chance to reach the conference finals for the first time since 2008.

Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov and Jamie Benn provide plenty of scoring power. Second-year coach Jim Montgomery can roll four lines after the front office bolstered the team's depth by signing 35-year-old Joe Pavelski, who was an All-Star last year with San Jose for the third time in four years.

''Getting a guy like Pavelski to us is going to be huge for us obviously with the net front (presence) and leadership-wise in the locker room,'' defenseman John Klingberg said.

The 27-year-old Klingberg is potentially going into the prime year of his career and 20-year-old Miro Heiskanen is a future star on the blue line, coming off a 33-point rookie season in which he was durable enough to play all 82 games.

Goaltender Ben Bishop looks like he might be at his best at the age of 32. His save percentage led the league last year and he ranked second in the NHL in goals-against average, giving up fewer than two a game for the first time in his career.

THIRD TIME A CHARM?

The Golden Knights are hoping their third year is more like their first, when they reached the Stanley Cup Final, and not like their second season that ended in the first round with a Game 7 loss to the Sharks. Vegas returns its top nine scorers and three-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury as the franchise makes another run with familiar faces. Talented forward Mark Stone starts his first full season with the Golden Knights after signing an eight-year deal in February.

''We have something to prove to show that we are a top team in the NHL,'' Vegas forward Jonathan Marchessault.

GROUNDED JETS

Winnipeg's chances may hinge on when, or possibly if, restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor sign to stay with the franchise.

''If we don't have those two guys for the whole season, which I don't think is going to happen, then it does change our team a little bit because then we've lost a lot of players,'' Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers said.

MAYBE NEXT YEAR

- Connor McDavid is one of the game's greats and teammate Leon Draisaitl is a 100-point scorer, but the Edmonton Oilers might be relegated to playing only in the regular season for a third straight year and 13th time in 14 seasons.

- Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews may not have enough talent around them to avoid missing the playoffs a third straight year in Chicago for the first time in more than a decade.

- The Minnesota Wild signed Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to 13-year, $98 million contracts in 2012 and they may miss the playoffs two straight years for the first time since then.

- The Los Angeles Kings hired former San Jose and Edmonton coach Todd McLellan, but he will have a hard time stopping the franchise from falling short of the postseason in two straight years for the first time since a six-season drought that ended in 2010.

- Under first-year coach Dallas Eakins, the Anaheim Ducks may miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2000-2002.

- The Arizona Coyotes have failed to make the playoffs for seven straight years, a drought that trails only Buffalo's in the NHL, and probably will extend the run this season. The Vancouver Canucks could sit out a fifth straight year, which would be a franchise record.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (in order)

Central: Stars, Blues, Predators

West: Golden Knights, Flames, Sharks

Wild card: Predators, Jets

West champion: Stars

**StarDust Bum** · 09-19-2019, 03:18 AM

Lightning still the team to beat in East
September 18, 2019
By The Associated Press

Getting swept in the first round wasn't enough to knock the Tampa Bay Lightning off the mountaintop.

After finishing 21 points ahead of everyone else during the 2018-19 regular season, the Lightning are again Stanley Cup favorites and the team to beat in an ever-improving Eastern Conference. With a stacked roster that includes goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy, defenseman Victor Hedman and forwards Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point, the road to the final goes through Tampa Bay.

''They got a young goaltender who's getting better and better every year (and) their D corps is pretty solid,'' Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin said. ''Their forward group is so skilled and solid that I would still say it's Tampa.''

That's no knock on the Boston Bruins, who lost Game 7 of the Cup Final to St. Louis. Or the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins, who have plenty of Cup-winning experience. The Lightning performed some salary cap gymnastics, kept their core intact and aren't shying away from the well-deserved hype.

''Expectations are high: Of course for everyone the main goal is to win the Cup,'' Vasilevskiy said. ''We're more mature now. We have more experience. ... I think the last few seasons people (say), `Tampa will win the Cup 100 percent' every time. That's the expectation, but the reality is every team can win the Cup. We're playing in the best league in the world, so anything can happen.''

With Tampa Bay, Boston, Toronto and Florida, the Atlantic Division looks like murderer's row. The Bruins got through only after coming back from a 3-2, first-round deficit against Toronto and aren't feeling cocky.

''Our division's been great the past couple years and there's no end in sight there,'' Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask said. ''We feel that we have to go through Toronto, we have to go through Tampa, we have to go through Florida and everybody.''

The Panthers signed two-time Vezina Trophy winning goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and hired three-time Cup-winning coach Joel Quenneville to take the next step. Across the East in the Metropolitan Division, the improved New York Rangers and New Jersey Devils are rejuvenated with some big additions.

''The Rangers signed elite winger Artemi Panarin, traded for top defender Jacob Trouba and drafted Finnish sensation Kaapo Kakko, while the Devils got Norris Trophy winner P.K. Subban and selected center Jack Hughes first overall.

OLD GUARD

Pittsburgh still has Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, Washington still has Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, and yet each team has undergone a transformation since last lifting the Cup. The Penguins look closer to falling down the East standings at this point, and Crosby acknowledged there are some question marks.

''We're a little bit younger, and in some ways we're maybe a little bit older, too,'' Pittsburgh's captain said. ''We're younger, so I think we're going to be probably a quicker team, probably an energized team and we'll have some guys that are pretty excited to be in the positions they're in. We'll have to see what we can do with that.''

The Capitals believe their championship window is still open.

''We expect to be amongst the league leaders in terms of wins and points,'' coach Todd Reirden said. ''That's the culture that we've established now and now we need to continue to build it.''

CHIP ON SHOULDER

Columbus will undoubtedly take a step back after losing Panarin and Bobrovsky and letting trade deadline pickups Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel walk in free agency. Much like the New York Islanders a year ago after losing John Tavares to Toronto in free agency, the Blue Jackets plan to use their personnel defections as a rallying point.

''There's no secret losing those guys probably hurts a little bit, but we're bringing back a lot of our core guys,'' leading goal scorer Cam Atkinson said. ''We have to come in with a chip on our shoulder and prove a lot of people wrong, but I think that it should fuel your fire to prove people wrong.''

Columbus will rely heavily on goalies Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins.

''The biggest question is goaltending,'' Atkinson said. ''That's going to be the biggest thing. The St. Louis Blues won with a rookie goaltender coming in in the middle of the season and look what happens to that team.''

The Islanders let starting goalie Robin Lehner depart in free agency and replaced him with Semyon Varlamov. Coach Barry Trotz's structure remains, but no one's going to underestimate them this time around.

LETDOWN BRUIN?

No team since Pittsburgh in 2009 has won the Cup after losing in the final the previous year. Bruins defenseman Torey Krug said the ''taste is still there'' from the Game 7 defeat at home.

''It will probably always be there,'' Krug said. ''It's how you manage it individually to use it as motivation.''

MAYBE NEXT YEAR

It could be neck and neck between the Blue Jackets, Rangers, Devils, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers for the final playoff spot. Carolina will need stable goaltending to duplicate a surprise run that ended in the East final. Philadelphia added coach Alain Vigneault, center Kevin Hayes and defensemen Matt Niskanen and Justin Braun, but remains a bit of a mystery amid inconsistent play.

The Buffalo Sabres will get a boost from new coach Ralph Krueger but more rebuilding is likely. Defenseman Rasmus Dahlin wants the Sabres to ''trust the process,'' which is ongoing not just in Buffalo but also Montreal and Detroit before those teams can target a postseason run. Ottawa's long-term rebuild should set them up for a top draft pick.

PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS (in order)

Atlantic: Lightning, Bruins, Maple Leafs

Metropolitan: Capitals, Islanders, Penguins

Wild card: Panthers, Blue Jackets

East champion: Lightning

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