Battle Of Hudson covers the Rangers and Devils, who's intense rivalry heated up in the 90's. With fresh faces added, they battle for supremacy in NYC and NJ..
It’s finally here. The first day of September means two things. Back to school. The return of hockey. It also means football. There will be plenty of excitement for both the Jets and Giants. Especially if you root for Gang Green like Jersey blogger, Hasan.
If you include the U.S. Open like I do, that’s four. Unfortunately, I’m reduced to watching matches on ESPN Plus. Thanks to the corporate greed of Disney and Spectrum. At least they give you other matches on different courts. I even watched some women’s doubles.
Of course, this is a hockey blog. We’ve been around for a long time. Battle of New York originally was created twelve years ago. That was a good time. Both the Rangers and Devils were in the midst of a big season when the rivalry added another chapter. I refer to it as Marty’s Revenge. For the Jersey side, they got us back.
With the calendar on September 1, what’s in store for the upcoming season? We’ve already covered a lot of players changing teams during the off-season. Summer isn’t over yet. The holiday weekend promises another heatwave into early next week. You can still enjoy the little things.
As schools start up, we’ll be getting closer to prospect tournaments and training camps, followed by the preseason. Before you know it, October will be here.
There still are some players who don’t know where they’ll be playing yet. That might include trades if Connor Hellebuyck gets his wish. John Gibson also wants to play in another city. What you usually see is some veterans signed to pro tryouts. If they impress, then they make the roster. That’s become the trend. Especially in a salary cap era that forces teams to make tough decisions.
In the meantime, we can at least take a glimpse into what the Eastern Conference will look like. I’ll focus on teams from both divisions. That way, we’ll have a better idea of what to expect for 2023-24.
In another time, Carl Hagelin was a fan favorite up in the Blue Seats at Madison Square Garden. The former Rangers’ playoff hero announced his retirement from hockey yesterday.
Once a sixth round pick in the 2007 NHL Draft, Hagelin played four years at the University of Michigan before graduating to the pros. After spending part of his first season in Hartford, Hagelin was called up by the Rangers. He would earn a spot and spend the remainder of the 2011-12 season with the Blueshirts.
Carving a niche as a feisty, checking forward who possessed speed and intelligent hockey sense, Hagelin became a fixture in the top nine for the Rangers.
First, it came under John Tortorella. A bit of a surprise, he scored 14 goals and added 24 assists for a total of 38 points with a plus-14 rating in 64 games as a rookie. In a nice postseason run to the Conference Finals, Hagelin hit the rookie wall. He tallied three assists but didn’t score a goal in 17 games during the playoffs.
Although he wasn’t a big scorer, Hagelin always brought his best assets, including game-breaking speed and two-way capability to his shifts. That made him a key to the Rangers’ penalty kill. Due to his instincts, he was a shorthanded threat. Two of his three shorthanded goals came in his first year. He picked up his third as a Ranger in 2013-14.
In his third season under coach Alain Vigneault, Hagelin achieved a new career high in goals with 17. Sixteen came at even strength, where he excelled. He added 16 assists for a total of 33 points over 72 games. While he was never considered a top player, Hagelin played a key role during the Rangers’ run to the Stanley Cup Finals.
On a deep team that featured Brad Richards, Derick Brassard, Derek Stepan, Martin St. Louis, Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello, and Chris Kreider, Hagelin contributed well on a balanced roster that captivated the Garden Faithful. In fact, his seven goals ranked right behind team leader St. Louis (8). He finished that postseason with 12 points, tying him with Brassard and Richards for sixth.
His speed was a factor throughout the run. He scored two shorthanded goals and notched a game-winner. Hagelin proved he could perform when it counted. While some of his teammates received more ink, the diminutive Swede played his part well. Along with the checking duo of Brian Boyle and Dominic Moore, the man they called Hags was easy to root for. A classic overachiever.
The following season proved to be his last on Broadway. After setting a career high with 35 points (17-18-35) in 82 contests, he’s best remembered for scoring the overtime goal that beat the Pens in Game Five to advance to the second round. Using his speed and forecheck, Hagelin came out from behind the net and found enough room to score the winner at 10:52 of sudden death to give the Rangers the first round series triumph.
The 2014-15 Rangers won the President’s Trophy. Unfortunately, they ran into the upstart Lightning, who defeated them in an unpredictable seven-game game series that made no sense. There was no such thing as momentum. After taking care of the Bolts in Game Six to get the deciding seventh game at 33rd and Seventh, the Blueshirts were shut out 2-0 to lose in disappointing fashion.
It proved to be the last hurrah. Due to rising costs, the Rangers were unable to keep Hagelin. He was dealt to the Ducks in the off-season. The return isn’t worth mentioning. It was a bust.
Ironically, it was the Pens who coveted the underrated checking forward the following season. They wisely traded for Hagelin during 2015-16. After struggling with Anaheim, the old Hags found his game. Reinvigorated, he produced 27 points (10-17-27) with a plus-18 rating in 37 games. That even included a career best six game-winners.
In a twist, he was on the opposite side when the Pens eliminated the Rangers from the first round in five games. The Pens would go on to win the Stanley Cup. Hagelin had a terrific playoff by posting six goals with 10 helpers for 16 points. The most he ever had in a postseason.
He’d also win a second Cup in Pittsburgh the following year. Although his role was not as significant, he had two goals in 15 games. The Pens repeated as champs. He’d last 16 more games in the Steel City. The Pens traded him to the Kings for Tanner Pearson.
Hagelin was rerouted to the Capitals during 2018-19. Continuing to play a secondary role, he helped the Caps reach the playoffs three consecutive years. However, they didn’t have that much success.
After a challenging 2021-22 in which he struggled with injuries, it was obvious that Hagelin could no longer participate in a game. A freak injury during a team practice left him with a dilated eye. It nearly was removed. Complicating matters, he underwent arthroscopic and hip resurfacing surgery.
The combination of the injuries led to the Caps placing Hagelin on Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) for the entire 2022-23 season. With his eye still a serious issue, it left him with no choice to retire.
“I’m extremely grateful for all the memories hockey has given me and I’ve loved every single day of it,” Hagelin posted on Instagram. “I’m gonna miss going to battle with my teammates on a daily basis, I’m gonna miss the ups and downs of a season. Nothing excites me more than stepping on the ice in front of 20,000 passionate fans.”
“I want to thank all my amazing teammates, coaches, Doctors and other staff members that I’ve met and played with throughout the years,” Hagelin said. “Lastly, I want to thank my family, my wife and my kids for all their support.
“They made it possible for me to live out my dream.”
For his 11-year career, Hagelin finishes with 110 goals, 186 assists, and 296 points with a plus-119 in 713 games. As a Ranger, he played in 266 games. That included 58 goals and 72 assists for a total of 130 points with a plus-57.
Congrats to Carl Hagelin on an outstanding career. Best of luck in future endeavors.
For the former 2020 top pick, he gets about what he’s worth after failing to live up to expectations over his entry-level contract (ELC). I had him around $2.5 million AAV. The $2.325 million cap hit is a little more than Kaapo Kakko is playing under. Like Lafreniere, the former 2019 second pick hasn’t quite measured up yet.
In many aspects, they’re very similar. Neither has received ideal top six duty or consistent power play time. Both are entering critical stages in their still young careers.
Kakko set personal bests in goals (18), assists (22), points (40), and plus/minus (12). Thirty-seven came at even strength. Lafreniere established career highs in assists (23), points (39), and plus/minus (10). Thirty-five came at even strength. He added three power play goals.
If there’s one area the 21-year-old left wing excels at, it’s physicality. His 141 hits ranked fifth amongst Ranger skaters. It was the second consecutive season he delivered over 100 hits. He isn’t shy about finishing checks and getting the jersey dirty. That’s something that should help him under new coach Peter Laviolette. He emphasizes a strong forecheck along with grit.
For Lafreniere to excel, he’ll need to show more speed through the neutral zone. A solid overall player, his skating hasn’t been as good as advertised. Another similarity he and Kakko have. They are effective on the cycle. Both are capable of winning board battles. That’s what made their line with Filip Chytil good at five-on-five. They’re likely to play on different lines in 2023-24.
It’ll be interesting to see how Laviolette uses the three key young forwards. They will be critical to team success. It can’t just be about established stars Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, and Chris Kreider. If the Rangers are to have a better season, they’ll need both Lafreniere and Kakko to earn more ice time under the disciplined Laviolette, who preaches accountability. It’ll make this year’s roster more interesting. Nobody will get a free ride. Those days are over.
Hopefully, Lafreniere can prove that he belongs in the top six. Something that isn’t guaranteed. He’s still behind Kreider and Panarin on the depth chart. Will he have to shift over to the right side to make it work? Kakko is expected to compete with veteran Blake Wheeler for top line duty. It’s easier for him due to playing his natural side.
For Lafreniere, it might come down to numbers. Obviously, he needs to produce. If he can, then things should take care of itself. The same goes for Kakko and Chytil, who registered new career bests with 22 goals, 23 assists, and 45 points. The better question for the coaching staff is, is Chytil better suited to center the second line than Vincent Trocheck. It’s one Laviolette should explore.
The days of the kids being second in the pecking order have to end. If K’Andre Miller can play big minutes, it’s about time we find out if Lafreniere, Kakko, and Chytil can. Don’t forget that they played a pivotal role in the team’s return to the Eastern Conference Final in 2022. They continued to grow as players in what amounted to an inconsistent 2022-23.
It’s also worth watching how close Brennan Othmann is to becoming an NHL player. He’ll get training camp to impress the new staff. Even if he’s likely ticketed for Hartford, the former 2021 first round pick has a bright future. Hopefully, the organization will do what’s best for his development.
In other NHL news, the Maple Leafs signed Auston Matthews to a four-year contract extension. He could’ve been a free agent next summer. Instead, the former league MVP will stay in Toronto until age 30. He’s set to earn $11.64 million thru 2024. When his new deal begins in 2024-25, Matthews will be paid over $13 million. It’s a cap hit of $13.25 million.
That allows Leafs fans to breathe easier. They don’t have to worry about their franchise player leaving next year. William Nylander is entering the final year of his contract. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the overlooked star who is behind Matthews and Mitch Marner.
It’s been a long summer. If you’re a hockey fan anyway.
The off-season can feel like two parts. The first is like a bolt of lightning before a storm. That describes the beginning of free agency. In one word, chaotic.
The second is more like a long journey with nothing but peace and quiet. Think being at an isolated park or beach where people are fishing. We have such a cool place not far from here that I frequent.
Most of the big moves have been made. We’ve seen players move as usually happens. None bigger than Erik Karlsson, who will wear his trademark number 65 in a Penguins jersey. That’ll take some getting used to. Especially for division rivals.
There was the Vladimir Tarasenko never-ending saga. First, he was signing with the Hurricanes. Then, the change in agents. Then, nothing but crickets. Finally, he landed in Ottawa to offset the departure of Alex DeBrincat, who chose to go home to Detroit.
The Devils were quite busy early. Tom Fitzgerald got both Jesper Bratt and Timo Meier re-signed to long-term contracts. It’ll be interesting to see what a full season of having Meier with Jack Hughes presents. You should also see the younger brother, Luke Hughes, patrolling the blue line following the departure of Ryan Graves (Pens) and Damon Severson (Blue Jackets).
It’ll still come down to the tandem of Vitek Vanecek and promising youngster Akira Schmid, who played the first round hero in the Devs’ seven-game series win over the Hudson rival Rangers.
Speaking of the Rangers, they couldn’t break the bank on anyone. Instead, Chris Drury brought in savvy vets Blake Wheeler, Nick Bonino, Tyler Pitlick, and Erik Gustafsson. He replaced Jaroslav Halak with former Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick, who’ll look strange wearing the Broadway Blueshirt after helping defeat them a decade ago as an LA King.
After getting K’Andre Miller signed to a two-year deal, Drury still has to re-sign restricted free agent Alexis Lafreniere. The former top pick has no leverage. He’s yet to live up to lofty expectations. That’s partially due to how he’s been used. Former bench boss Gerard Gallant rarely gave Lafreniere any top six or power play duty due to established stars, Artemi Panarin, Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, and Adam Fox.
If the 2023-24 Rangers are to be successful, it’ll come down to new coach Peter Laviolette having more trust in Lafreniere, Filip Chytil, and Kaapo Kakko. Of course, it must be earned. However, they must have better defined roles.
They’ll look to help provide stronger support for Igor Shesterkin, who can’t carry them alone. He’ll need better defense, including improved back checking from forwards and stronger communication.
While they’ll wait until the very last minute to sign Lafreniere, the Rangers will have to contend with the improved Pens, who should have a better regular season. If the Hurricanes and Devils are the class of the Metropolitan Division, then the Rangers and Pens should be next in line competing for a top three spot.
Sidney Crosby remains the face of a rivalry that dates back to the 90’s. The ageless wonder turned 36. He’s still among the game’s elite. What if he didn’t miss so many games due to injuries? Crosby would be a lock for 2,000 points. He’s totaled 1502 in 1190 games.
The Lightning might’ve subtracted key Stanley Cup contributor Alex Killorn to Anaheim. But they locked up key forward Brandon Hagel. He signed an eight-year contract extension that’ll pay him an average of $6.5 million per cap hit starting in 2024-25.
That’s a hefty raise for a good player. Acquired from the Blackhawks over a year ago, Hagel set personal bests in goals (30), assists (34), and points (64). He also scored a career high seven power play goals and was a fixture on the penalty kill.
Is he worth it? It might be a slight overpay. But Hagel is turning 25 this weekend. It’s wiser to pay a younger player who’s on the upswing than overpay an aging veteran who could see a decline. I like the investment.
I’m curious to see how the Bruins will do without Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci. Boston fans were spoiled for over a decade with two superb centers, who played the game the right way. I’ll miss Bergeron, who one day should have the Selke named after him. Krejci often got overlooked. But he was a smart, play-making pivot who made teammates better.
— Lafreniere For MVP (Bring Vatrano Home) (@Laf4MVP) August 17, 2023
If they get the goaltending again from dynamic duo Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman, they should still be formidable. They feature the game’s premier power forward in David “Pasta” Pastrnak. Brad Marchand is expected to take over as captain. He isn’t getting any younger. However, the Rat, as he’s affectionately known, still has something left. Boasting one of the game’s best defensemen in Charlie McAvoy should help.
We’ll see how coach Jim Montgomery handles a lineup that also lost Taylor Hall (Blackhawks), Nick Foligno (Blackhawks), Tyler Bertuzzi (Leafs), Garnet Hathaway (Flyers), and Dmitry Orlov (Canes). Undoubtedly, Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha will be asked to play bigger roles moving forward. They still have a solid foundation.
It wouldn’t be the summer without some cruel jokes. Enter NJDevil00, who owned poor Zibanejesus in an epic reply.
That’s what makes the rivalry fun. A little ribbing between rivals can bring laughs even when it stings. I say, let’s beat them when it counts.
Finally, we’re still waiting on Connor Hellebuyck and John Gibson. It isn’t easy to move goalies. We’ll see what transpires with Hellebuyck, who’s a former Vezina winner that wants no part of a Jets’ rebuild. As for Gibson, what value does he have?
Are the Flames ever gonna trade some of their big names? Stay tuned.
That’ll do it for now. Pretty soon, prospect tournaments will be in full swing. Training camps will follow. There’s still some time left. Enjoy it.
On Thursday, longtime Sabres broadcaster Rick Jeanneret passed away at the age of 81. The voice of the Buffalo Sabres for over half a century is being mourned by the organization and by the hockey world.
When you think of the Sabres, one legendary voice comes to mind. That is how much Rick Jeanneret means to the legions of Buffalo fans in Western New York. For 51 years, the man affectionately known as RJ became one of the most beloved broadcasters in hockey. His signature calls are the thing of legend.
“May Day” is fondly remembered as one of those exciting calls. It highlighted a great goal scored by Brad May in overtime to beat the rival Bruins on April 24, 1993. They advanced to the Adams Division Finals.
It was his enthusiasm combined with the passion that defined Jeanneret as one of the most exciting play-by-play men in sports. He had a unique style that made him fun to listen to. The way he described the game is what makes him one of my favorite broadcasters.
Whether it be a big hit like the one Brian Campbell caught R.J. Umberger with during a playoff game against the Flyers or an epic goalie fight such as the battle between Martin Biron and the late Ray Emery, Jeanneret made each game entertaining for the listener and viewer. Even in death, nobody will ever forget him.
Tons of tributes poured out from the hockey community on social media. When you have a brilliant career like Jeanneret, did that highlighted getting inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame for the Foster Hewitt Award in 2012, he left a tremendous mark. A true legend who was an authentic person will be fondly remembered.
#Buffalo and #RJ proved a perfect fit for one another. His imprint on the city and the #Sabres organization will always be. A father to a friend, a friend to so many, and a part of countless others' lives. RJ was & will always be an inspiration to originality and creativity. pic.twitter.com/bR9oJSUuke
From a personal standpoint, I was introduced to RJ by one of my closest friends. A diehard Sabres fan, Brian Sanborn, got me into watching games on the Empire Sports Network. Hearing the energy and excitement with which Jeanneret called games got me hooked. One of my favorite calls was “Top Shelf. Where Mama hides the cookies.” A perfect description for a goal that beat a goalie high glove or stick side.
It wouldn’t be a tribute without thinking of the many robberies Dominik Hasek committed. Jeanneret always had a knack for memorable calls whenever the legendary Hasek robbed someone blind. “Call A Cop!” That stands out. So does, “It’s another miracle.” That was what separated him from other broadcasters. He called the games with a youthful enthusiasm.
This will forever be my favorite RJ Goal call. Game 7 in 1997 Derek Plante in OT. This goal made me fall in love with Sabres hockey, and then hearing him narrate Hasek’s career made me want to be a goalie. He touched Sabres fans lives in such a profound way. I’ll miss you so much pic.twitter.com/ShDaG3n66F
One moment that I’ll always remember was getting the chance to meet the man. It was my final game working for the Devils. The Sabres were visiting The Meadowlands. Due to the snow, they arrived late. I was in the press room when I went to make a copy for our production truck. There was Rick Jeanneret getting some preparation done for the broadcast.
I introduced myself. I told him about how big a fan Brian was of both the Sabres and RJ. He couldn’t have been nicer. He truly was a gentleman. I only wish Brian could’ve been there for that.
The game turned out to be memorable. The Sabres held on for a 1-0 win. A shutout for Hasek, who bested the legendary Martin Brodeur. The thing that stands out is the Devils thought they tied it. But Brian Rafalski’s last second shot didn’t beat the buzzer. It was a tad late.
The ride home was tough. Luckily, I made it home in one piece.
When I think of RJ, I’m instantly blown away that he was part of the Sabres from 1971-72 to 2021-22. Imagine having your dream job that you always wanted to do for most of your life. That’s exactly how Jeanneret described it.
never forget when that scrappy ‘21-22 Sabres team won on RJ night, and Alex Tuch escorted the 🐐out onto the ice after the game. The entire organization hit that event out of the goddamn park. pic.twitter.com/4ZiC3NGx6w
In the dog days of summer, news isn’t as busy for hockey. However, with the recent retirements of Bruins’ legends Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, there’s a big opportunity for some teams who missed the playoffs last season.
Boston subtracted a lot of key players off the record-breaking team that won 65 games and had 135 points in 2022-23. Of course, most disappointing was that in what amounted to the last hurrah for future Hall Of Famer Bergeron along with the under appreciated Krejci, they were upset by the Matthew Tkachuk led Panthers in the first round.
The sight of an emotional Bergeron waving to Bruins fans was goodbye. His close friend Brad Marchand shed tears. Deep down, they knew that was it for the classy player who should have the Selke Trophy named after him. He won a record six, including his final one in a memorable final season. For a player who battled numerous injuries, Bergeron finished his 19th year with 27 goals, 31 assists, 58 points, and a plus-35 rating in 78 games. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to three games in the first round defeat to Florida.
Ironically, both Bergeron and Krejci were unable to play the full seven games. Had they been able to, maybe it’s a different script than the one that saw Boston fans salute their heroes even following an excruciating loss. Sometimes, there are moments that are bigger than wins and losses. The cheers Bergeron received were well deserved. Ditto for a team that gave them a great season. One that was unexpected. Nobody had the Bruins being that good. It was the end of a chapter for Boston.
Due in large part to the salary cap, the Bruins had to cut payroll. Taylor Hall was sent to the Blackhawks in a salary dump, along with Nick Foligno. Both should be instrumental in helping top pick Connor Bedard get acclimated to the NHL. They also lost key deadline additions Dmitry Orlov (Canes), Tyler Bertuzzi (Maple Leafs), and Garnet Hathaway (Flyers). Connor Clifton signed with the Sabres. Tomas Nosek went to New Jersey.
Can a roster that had so many departures get back to the postseason? At the very least, they still boast a solid nucleus that features captain in waiting, Marchand, David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, Jake DeBrusk, Hampus Lindholm, and goalie tandem Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. Center is a bit thinner due to the losses of Bergeron and Krejci. It’ll be up to Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha to perform. They have big shoes to fill.
WE HAVE BIG TRADE NEWS TO ANNOUNCE 🚨
The Penguins have acquired defenseman Erik Karlsson, forward Rem Pitlick, forward Dillon Hamaliuk and a 2026 third-round draft pick in a three-team trade involving the San Jose Sharks and Montreal Canadiens.
Meanwhile, the Metro Division continues to improve. The strong off-seasons of the Hurricanes and Devils have been well documented. Not to be outdone, the Pens continue to make key additions to a roster that missed the playoffs. After team president and GM Kyle Dubas signed Ryan Graves, Noel Acciari, and Lars Eller, he completed the much rumored blockbuster deal for Erik Karlsson over the weekend. The 33-year-old Norris winner should be a big help to the blue line. What he can add offensively at both even strength and on the power play will be a daunting task for opponents.
Astonishingly, the Sharks only retained $1.5 million of Karlsson’s contract. With the Pens responsible for $9.99 million of the contract, they only had to part with one first round pick in 2024. It’s even top 10 protected. With the Canadiens getting involved in the three-team trade, they took back Jeff Petry at a discount. The Pens retained $1.562 million of his salary. They were able to get a 2025 second round pick from Pittsburgh, along with Petry ($4.687 million), Casey DeSmith, and Nathan Legare.
San Jose received Mike Hoffman ($4.5 million), Mikael Granlund ($5 million), who the Pens couldn’t wait to get rid of. They also took Jan Rutta ($2.75 million). So, GM Mike Grier was willing to acquire three veterans to only add one first round pick that’ll be outside the top 10. He didn’t do well. Why the Sharks didn’t pick up more of the tab on Karlsson is questionable. Had they, they could’ve bought a good prospect along with the first round pick. They look like losers in this deal.
Even if Karlsson can’t match the remarkable numbers he put up on a dreadful Sharks roster in which he was unfairly criticized for a minus-26 rating during a Norris year, he will undoubtedly help the Pens. Kris Letang isn’t what he once was. Injuries have hindered him. The big addition of Karlsson will certainly relieve some pressure from Letang, who’s been a warrior in the Steel City.
Sidney Crosby is still playing at an elite level. He just blew out the candles on his 36th birthday yesterday. With the Pens committed to Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Letang, it made sense to take a big swing by adding Karlsson. A star player who proved he’s all the way back by playing in all 82 games and producing at a high level. He became the first defenseman to crack the 100-point mark since Brian Leetch did it in 1991-92. By re-signing Tristan Jarry, who played through injuries last year, the Pens stick with the number one goalie who’s capable of bouncing back. They subtracted DeSmith, who now moves up north to Montreal. Alex Nedeljkovic takes over as the backup.
Jake Guentzel had ankle surgery. He’s likely to start the 2023-24 season on LTIR. That’s $6 million they’ll be without. Guentzel is the top finisher on the roster. He’s in his prime. The Pens are banking on him to come back healthy. Adding veteran Reilly Smith from Vegas should help improve secondary scoring. Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust will be counted on.
The defense will look different. They added Graves to provide the nuts and bolts. He is also capable of contributing due to his big shot. Karlsson and Letang will log the big minutes while providing most of the offense. After Marcus Pettersson, it gets thin with Chad Ruhwedel, Pierre-Oliver Joseph, and former Devils first round pick Ty Smith. That could be the only question. Otherwise, it looks like the Pens plan on returning to the postseason.
While the key teams they’re competing with improved, the Rangers are stuck in wait and see mode with Alexis Lafreniere. After adding quality depth in proven vets Blake Wheeler and Nick Bonino, they gave K’Andre Miller a bridge deal worth $7.74 million. Along with former Cap Erik Gustafsson, who played under new bench boss Peter Laviolette, they’re hoping that new assistant Phil Housley can help improve the defense. It sure would benefit Miller, who at times was unsteady despite achieving personal bests in goals (9), assists (34), and points (43).
Like most key Blueshirts, Miller didn’t have a good first round. He was victimized on a few goals by the Devils. He and Jacob Trouba struggled mightily. It’ll be interesting to see if Laviolette decides to revamp the defensive pairs. Could Miller team with Adam Fox? Stay tuned.
Lafreniere has to wait, unfortunately. He has no arbitration rights. The Rangers have just over three million left on the cap. Lafreniere should come in around $2.5 million. He will have to prove himself under Laviolette, who believes both the former top pick and Kaapo Kakko have more to give. That will be a key to the season.
With Chris Drury deciding to keep checking forward Barclay Goodrow, our guess is Laviolette will utilize him the way former coach Gerard Gallant did in his first year. The versatile Goodrow was moved up and down a lot to inject energy into whatever line needed it. He is a good penalty killer and diligent checker. Maybe we get to see Goodrow play with Vincent Trocheck on a match-up line. Something Gallant didn’t believe in. That could be a good fit.
The Rangers added Tyler Pitlick and Alex Belzile. Pitlick is more proven and might be a hard-working fourth liner. He is the type of player fans should like. He plays with hustle.
Zac Jones will compete with Gustafsson for time on the third pair. He’s a good skater with offensive potential. A similar skill set to Gustafsson, who can provide power play help on the second unit. An area Gallant never established. Hopefully, it’ll be a good competition that leads to both players receiving playing time. Gallant had no use for Jones.
The other potential players are Will Cuylle and Brennan Othmann. Cuylle finished strong in his first pro season for Hartford. Othmann will have to have a big camp to even be considered. He’ll likely begin his professional career with the Wolf Pack. That isn’t the worst thing for his development. Development is an area the Rangers want to improve at. See Kakko and Lafreniere.
If the division is between the Hurricanes and Devils, then third place is likely to be hotly contested between the Rangers and Pens. The Islanders weren’t able to make a big splash. Basically, they stuck with their aging core that at least includes Ilya Sorokin, Mat Barzal, Bo Horvat, Brock Nelson, Anders Lee, Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock. Unless you consider Julien Gauthier as a key addition, there won’t be much difference on the roster. It might be the last chance for former first rounder Oliver Wahlstrom to prove himself. Injuries limited him to 35 games. Still only 23, Wahlstrom must make it happen.
At this point, those are likely the top five teams in the division. The Capitals still boast Alexander Ovechkin, who’s chasing Gretzky. They foolishly gave popular forward Tom Wilson a seven-year contract extension worth nearly $7 million. He’s a good player who certainly makes his presence felt. But he’s 29. He will be 30 when the new deal kicks in.
Nicklas Backstrom likely won’t ever return to the elite level that made him one of the game’s best centers. Evgeny Kuznetsov had a bounce back season, but there was an inkling that he wanted out. Even with top defenseman John Carlson and T.J. Oshie, the core is getting older. They were wise to keep Dylan Strome. He had a good first year in DC. He can be counted on. Anthony Mantha is in a contract year. If they’re not in the playoff mix, he could get moved. Veteran Max Pacioretty took an incentive laden $2 million deal. Can he hold up and produce following another career threatening injury?
At least Rasmus Sandin should make them look smart for dealing away Gustafsson to the Leafs as a rental. Darcy Kuemper remains the starter with Charlie Lindgren backing up. Maybe having a new voice behind the bench will help. We’ll see how Spencer Carberry does in his first NHL job as a head coach.
Both the Flyers and Blue Jackets look like the bottom of the barrel. While each boasts talent, there are still big questions in goal and on the blue line. Scoring shouldn’t be an issue for Columbus. Keeping pucks out remains a concern. If they can’t improve, how long before Johnny Gaudreau regrets uprooting his family to Ohio?
The Flyers will have a different look. Gone are Kevin Hayes, Ivan Provorov, Tony DeAngelo, and James van Riemsdyk. If Owen Tippett can continue to improve, power forward status is on the cusp. Cam York will be a big key to the back end. He really needs to grab it. How will both Sean Couturier and Cam Atkinson look following missing all of last season. Travis Konecny is a free agent next summer. He could be an interesting name to watch.
There’s a lot to look forward to. If the Leafs and Panthers are the class of the Atlantic, where are the Lightning, who continue to lose key parts of their championship teams? What about the Bruins? Are any of the upstart teams such as the Red Wings, Sabres, or Senators ready to make the quantum leap? At this point, one definitely should. Two is a possibility.
We’ll have more if anything else breaks. Still no action with Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson, or some unhappy Flames. See you soon.
Last Wednesday, the Hurricanes and Sebastian Aho reached an agreement on a new contract extension that should keep him in Carolina into his mid-30’s.
With the Hurricanes captain entering the final year of his current deal that averages out to an $8.46 million for 2023-24, GM Don Waddell got it done. Simply put, the 26-year-old Aho is the Canes’ best player.
A former 2015 second round pick, the center has scored 30 or more goals in four of his first seven seasons. Over that span, he’s totaled 218 goals, 250 assists, and 468 points in 520 games. That includes a plus-80 rating, which highlights his capability defensively. In four years, he’s received votes for the Selke Trophy.
Aho signed an eight-year extension worth $78 million. The new contract includes a no-movememt clause. It’s an AAV of $9.75 million. For comparison, the Rangers gave Mika Zibanejad $8.5 million through 2030. In Year One, he produced new career bests in points (91) and power play goals (20). He had a plus-25 rating and received votes for the Selke Trophy.
If one were to evaluate Aho and Zibanejad fairly for comparisons’ sake, you can make the argument that Zibanejad is the better player. He’s more explosive. Especially in the goal department. Both Aho and Zibanejad are reliable defensively. Each kill penalties and are shorthanded threats. Aho has the edge in shorthanded goals with 16 compared to Zibanejad’s 11.
As far as value, Aho is a bit better overall. However, he plays in a strict defensive system under coach Rod Brind’Amour. That affects his numbers. Twice, he’s hit 80 points or more. Zibanejad has gone over 80 points the past two years. It would’ve been three had there been no pause during 2019-20. He was on a tear, scoring a career high 41 goals with 34 assists for 75 points in only 57 games.
If there is a difference, Aho is four years younger than Zibanejad. He just turned 26. Zibanejad is 30. Both should continue to produce consistently over the next few years. However, Aho has a chance to do it for a longer period due to his age. He’s far and away the Hurricanes’ best player. Zibanejad is the Rangers’ best forward. It’ll be interesting to see how both players do under their contracts. Aho has one more year remaining before his new deal kicks in.
The Canes had to get it done. Aho is their franchise star and captain. He has a chance to go down as the best player in Canes’ history. He should only get better as he enters his prime.
After a long wait, Vladimir Tarasenko has a new team. He agreed to a one-year, $5 million deal with the Senators yesterday. The contract includes a no-trade clause.
The former Blues forward was acquired by the Rangers last season to upgrade the roster. It took some time for him to find his footing. But once he settled in, Tarasenko posted solid numbers. He had eight goals and 13 assists for a total of 21 points in 31 games.
In the postseason, he scored three goals and added a helper in the first round. Unfortunately, the Rangers came up on the losing side against the Devils in seven games. Like most of the players, Tarasenko was up and down in the series. When it ended, he sounded open to a return. The issue always was the small amount of cap space.
It was never realistic. While I liked Tarasenko’s overall game, the idea of re-signing him probably would’ve been a detriment to the few young forwards on the roster. That includes Alexis Lafreniere, who, for some reason, remains unsigned. The Rangers have just over three million left after giving K’Andre Miller a bridge deal. I guess they’re going to squeeze every penny out of Lafreniere, who isn’t even gonna get $3 million.
As for Tarasenko, he joins his third team. An established star with the Blues where he scored 30-plus goals in six seasons, he joins a promising Senators team that has a chance to make the playoffs. The interesting thing is that they were rumored to be in on Tarasenko after he turned down the Hurricanes earlier this month. The change of agents didn’t matter. He settled on a one-year contract to play for Ottawa. If he has a big season, he can reset the market next summer.
Tarasenko joins veteran Claude Giroux as the two proven stars on a younger roster that features captain Brady Tkachuk, Tim Stutzle, Drake Batherson, and the expected return of Josh Norris. With the addition of Tarasenko, they shouldn’t miss Alex DeBrincat. He was dealt to the Red Wings. Dominik Kubalik came back as part of the trade. He’s a top nine forward who can play power play. Mathieu Joseph is a depth player. They added former Flyer Zach McEwen to beef up.
Only Shane Pinto remains unsigned. The Sens don’t have much room at the moment to re-sign the restricted free agent. He’s a promising center that can score goals. He was in the same draft class as Kaapo Kakko. Pinto scored 20 goals in his first full season.
By also signing Joonas Korpisalo to form a tandem with solid backup Anton Forsberg, the Senators could be in the mix for the wildcard. It’ll depend on a blue line that features Thomas Chabot, Jakob Chychrun, and promising youngster Jake Sanderson.
Adding Tarasenko is a good move for Ottawa. If he fits in like Giroux, he could hit 30 goals for the seventh time in his career. The best part is he won’t be asked to be the guy. That falls on the dynamic duo of Stutzle and Tkachuk. Two emerging stars who both continue to improve.
Offense shouldn’t be a problem. Defense and goaltending must hold up. If it does, the Senators have a good shot at the playoffs. Along with the Sabres, they could replace the Bruins, who could lose David Krejci following the retirement of Patrice Bergeron. Their top two centers are Charlie Coyle and Pavel Zacha. A big drop-off.
The Bruins still boast a solid defense anchored by Charlie McAvoy and Hampus Lindholm. They have a good goalie tandem in Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman. David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand will be asked to do the heavy lifting. Jake DeBrusk must repeat his production. They lost several players, including Dmitry Orlov, Taylor Hall, Tyler Bertuzzi, Garnet Hathaway, and Connor Clifton. If you add Krejci to that list with Bergeron, that’s a lot to overcome.
The Red Wings are hoping the addition of DeBrincat can boost their chances to return to the postseason. The process has been slow under GM Steve Yzerman. With questionable additions on the back end, it isn’t a guarantee that they’ll be better. The Atlantic remains a strong division thanks to the Maple Leafs, Lightning, and Panthers. Those should be the top three teams. Then, you have the Bruins trying to hold off the 0 Sabres, and Red Wings. Only the Canadiens look like a long shot. It shapes up to be a very competitive division.
In the dead of summer, at least for hockey, one of the true gentlemen has called it a career. A day after blowing the candles out on his 38th birthday, all-time Bruin Patrice Bergeron announced his retirement from the NHL.
Patrice, there are not enough words to describe the impact you have left on our organization, your teammates, the people you’ve worked with, the fans you gave everything for, and the city and region you represented so well.
When I think of great two-way players, Bergeron is at the top of the list. Selected by the Bruihs number 45 in the famed 2003 NHL Draft, the center from Quebec became a staple for Boston. As a teenage rookie, he showed promise by recording 16 goals and 39 points in 2003-04.
Following the lockout, he showed what he was capable of in 2005-06. In 81 games, Bergeron put up 31 goals, 42 assists, and 73 points. That included his first shorthanded goal. An area he would excel at over two decades. A complete player, he was always a shorthanded threat on the penalty kill. Once sidekick Brad Marchand arrived, they became a fixture together. Whether it was at even strength, the power play, or penalty kill, Bergeron and Marchand were inseparable.
Not coincidentally, they played big roles in helping the Bruins end a 39-year drought by winning the Stanley Cup in 2010-11. Bergeron posted 20 points (6-14-20) with a plus-15 rating and two shorthanded goals during the run. Marchand scored 11 goals and added eight assists for 19 points as a 22-year-old. Along with the contributions of David Krejci, Nathan Horton, Milan Lucic, Mark Recchi, Michael Ryder, Chris Kelly, Zdeno Chara, Dennis Seidenberg, Johnny Boychuk, Rich Peverly, Andrew Ference, and Tyler Seguin, the Bruins proved they were the best team that year.
It wouldn’t have been possible without Tim Thomas. The Vezina winner was incredible by posting a 16-9 record with a 1.98 GAA, .940 save percentage and four shutouts. That brilliant performance earned him the Conn Smythe as the MVP of the playoffs. The Bruins rallied from an 0-2 deficit to beat the Canucks in seven games to win the Stanley Cup. After winning Game 6 at home, they easily took Game 7 in Vancouver 4-0 to win the championship.
Despite fielding good rosters with the team making two more appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals, they never won again. In 2013, they lost to the Blackhawks in six games. It’s a bitter memory for Boston fans. They went from forcing a deciding seventh game to allowing consecutive goals to Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland in a 17-second span. It stunned the Boston crowd. Instead, the Blackhawks celebrated their second Cup in four years.
It took six years for the Bruins to get back to the Finals. After going through the Leafs, Blue Jackets, and Hurricanes, they met the Blues in the Stanley Cup. In a back and forth series that saw the road team victorious in five of seven games, Boston went from a dominant 5-1 win in Game 6 to a disappointing 4-1 Game 7 defeat on home ice. That’s the kind of series it was. The Blues won their first Cup by celebrating at TD Garden.
At that point, with Bergeron, Krejci, Chara, and Tuukka Rask at the later stages of their careers, it looked like that was the end of the Bruins competing for Cups. However, they turned back the clock last season. With Krejci returning from the Czech Republic, he again formed a potent 1-2 punch with Bergeron at center. New coach Jim Montgomery balanced the lines with Pavel Zacha and leading scorer David Pastrnak playing on an all Czech line with Krejci. That allowed Bergeron to center Marchand and Jake DeBrusk. Charlie Coyle had Taylor Hall on the third line.
They even added Tyler Bertuzzi and Dmitry Orlov to the mix. This team had everything. It led to a record-breaking season that saw the Bruins win 65 games against only 12 regulation losses with 5 defeats in overtime/shootout. They finished with a record 135 points. In a year where Pastrnak was runner-up to Connor McDavid for the Hart, with Linus Ullmark winning the Vezina, and Bergeron capturing a record sixth Selke as the game’s best defensive forward, the Bruins crashed out in shocking fashion in the first round.
They blew a 3-1 series lead to lose to the eighth seeded Panthers, who were carried by Matthew Tkachuk. It was his hustle that led to Carter Verhaeghe scoring in sudden death of Game 7 to stun the Bruins.
In an emotional scene following handshakes, Bergeron fought back tears as he waved goodbye to the Bruins fans, who gave him a standing ovation. Close friend and teammate Marchand shed tears as he left the ice. Deep down, I think they knew it was over. That moment was special. It wasn’t the ending they had in mind. But you could see how much Bergeron meant to his teammates and the city.
This clip of Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand after the final game this season makes a lot more sense now pic.twitter.com/AlBvjreLV2
With Bergeron, it was more than just statistics. He might never have reached the 80-point mark in his Hall of Fame career. He didn’t have to. One of the greatest five-on-five players who made teammates better through his high hockey IQ and instincts, the center won two Olympic gold medals for Canada, a Stanley Cup, six Selke Trophies, and a Mark Messier Leadership award. He even was fifth for the Hart in 2013-14 when he went 30-32-62 with a plus-38 rating, seven power play goals, a shorthanded goal, and seven game-winners. He was the consummate team player.
Stats didn’t matter. Bergeron was all about the team. He finished a brilliant 19-year career with 427 goals, 613 assists for a total of 1,040 points, and a plus-289 in 1,294 games. He had 22 shorthanded goals and 81 game-winners. One of the league’s premier face-off men, Bergeron concluded his career with a 59.3 percent winning percentage in the dot. That included 62.2 percent in his final season. He won 1714 and lost 1043.
Bergeron was also a good playoff performer. Over 170 postseason games, he had 50 goals and 78 assists for a total of 128 points. He had a knack for the clutch. The most memorable was when he tied and beat the Maple Leafs in a memorable Game 7 on May 13, 2013. It was a game the Bruins trailed 4-1 with less than 15 minutes remaining in the third period. Goals from Horton and Lucic pulled them within one. After Lucic scored, Bergeron tied the game with 51 seconds left. Fittingly, he won it at 6:05 of overtime. For his career, he scored four OT winners. That made him clutch.
Bergeron ranks high amongst the Bruins all-time greats. His 1294 games are the third most, trailing Johnny Bucyk (1436) and Ray Bourque (1518). He’s also third on the all-time franchise goal scoring list with his 427 placing behind Phil Esposito (459) and Bucyk (545). Bergeron ranks fourth on the all-time Bruins list in assists with 613. Bobby Orr (624), Bucyk (794), and Bourque (1111) are the top three. He is also behind Bourque (1506) and Bucyk (1339) in points with 1040. Plus/minus on the all-time Bruins list features the incomparable Orr (574), Bourque (493), Dallas Smith (331), Esposito (306), Marchand (290) and Bergeron (289).
Bergeron also ranks fourth in even strength goals (274), power play goals (131), and shorthanded goals (22). His 81 game-winning goals place second behind Bucyk (88). Only Bourque recorded more shots (5950) than Bergeron (3974) as a Bruin.
The bottom line is that Patrice Bergeron is an all-time Boston Bruins player who’ll be remembered forever. He’s had an outstanding career. Best of all, he did it with one team. He did it with class. You’ll never hear a bad word about Bergeron. One day soon, his number 37 will be retired. It’ll take its place among Boston legends.
I have been pretty vocal about how much I appreciated Bergeron. He was my favorite player from this era. An honest, hard-working man who always brought it. He played through numerous injuries, including during the first round when he was limited to three games. He was a gamer. He battled concussions. Bergeron is doing what’s best for his family. I understand completely. It’s a sad day not just for Boston but for hockey. He will be missed.
I felt similarly when Pavel Datsyuk decided to leave the Red Wings to return home and play in the KHL. If you look at both Datsyuk and Bergeron, they were complete two-way centers that were easy to like. Datsyuk was a bit more breathtaking with his speed and dangles. He topped 80 points four times, including posting back-to-back 97-point seasons. He won three consecutive Selkes. Between them, they have nine. Datsyuk is eligible for the Hall of Fame. I won’t hold my breath.
In my lifetime, the three best two-way centers I saw were Sergei Fedorov, Pavel Datsyuk, and Patrice Bergeron. All were great players. If he retires, Jonathan Toews would be fourth in that list. He remains unsigned.
Congratulations to Patrice Bergeron on a great career. Number 37 will always be remembered fondly in Boston. A class act.
Yesterday, the Rangers and K’Andre Miller reached an agreement on a new contract. The 23-year-old defenseman is set to earn close to four million per year over the next two seasons. The average cap hit is $3.872 million.
Undoubtedly, the deal is similar to the one Bowen Byram signed with the Avalanche. Byram received an AAV of $3.85 million. It’s also a bridge deal. Unlike Miller, he’s a year younger and hasn’t played as many games. Byram is 15-28-43 in 91 games. Miller has 21 goals with 54 assists for a total of 75 points in 214 games.
He’s been able to stay healthy. Durability is always a plus for a young defenseman. It was in 2018 that the Rangers selected him number 22 in the first round. After playing two World Junior Championships and spending two years at Wisconsin, Miller made the big transition to the NHL. He posted five goals and a dozen points during his rookie season in 2020-21.
Miller would become the defense partner of Jacob Trouba. While Adam Fox teamed with former USA teammate Ryan Lindgren to form a good top pair, it was the second tandem of Miller and Trouba that drew the bulk of the assignments at five-on-five.
They were at their best during the 2021-22 season. After tallying 20 points (7-13-20) and a plus-24 rating over 82 games, Miller had a good postseason. During the Rangers’ run to the Conference Finals, he contributed two goals with five assists while doing a good job defensively. While Trouba used his size and strength to punish opponents, Miller’s best asset is his skating and long reach. A strength that allows him to recover defensively. He also isn’t shy about jumping up in search for offense.
After a slow start to last season, Miller came on in the second half. By the end of 2022-23, he set new personal bests in goals (9), assists (34), and points (43). Of the 43 points, 38 came at even strength. One area he excels at is on breakaways. He’s able to transition quickly and surprise opponents with his speed and skill.
At times, former coach Gerard Gallant tried him on the second power play. However, he hasn’t proven to be the right fit for that unit. Trouba was also misused on the point when that unit got on. Perhaps that’s why they signed Erik Gustafsson. A more offensive-minded player who played power play for new coach Peter Laviolette in Washington. He’ll be competing with Zac Jones for ice time. Jones also has speed and skill. It’ll be interesting to see what develops in the fall.
If Miller excited fans with his dazzling rushes, his defense was at times spotty. It wasn’t as good an overall year for him. He and Trouba struggled at times. That inconsistency carried over into the playoffs. It wasn’t only Miller and Trouba that were up and down. Even Fox had his issues in a disappointing first round loss to the Hudson rival Devils. However, more was expected from Miller. After recording an assist in a Game One win, he didn’t have another point.
One of the key areas Miller must improve entering Year 4 is when to pinch and when not to. At times, he was overly aggressive. That led to getting caught on for odd man rushes and goals against. Miller must make smarter decisions with and without the puck. He also needs to tighten up his positioning. Taking better angles defensively can lead to success.
Hopefully, new assistant Phil Housley can help Miller make adjustments to improve overall. Housley is a Hall of Famer who had success on Laviolette’s staff in Nashville. He’s certainly got the experience and knowledge to provide input to Miller, Braden Schneider, and Jones. Even Fox can learn something from Housley. Especially after an uneven season despite splendid offensive numbers that saw him finish second behind Erik Karlsson for the Norris.
Rather than panic over the player Miller is so far, I am taking a more patient approach. He isn’t a finished product. Sometimes, it takes defensemen years to develop into the player teams’ envision. Having a good staff in place that includes Dan Muse and Housley should benefit younger players, including unsigned restricted free agent Alexis Lafreniere. He didn’t have a big third year. But improved with a career high 39 points (16-23-39), including 35 at even strength. The plus-10 rating was overlooked. Not having a point over seven games against the Devils hurt. Don’t forget he was a bright spot like Miller during the 2022 playoffs.
The thing is that they’re still young players who haven’t reached their full potential. With Vladimir Tarasenko eventually moving on (wherever that is) and Patrick Kane likely to wind up either back home in Buffalo or possibly Chicago (would it shock anyone) due to recovering from hip surgery, there are openings in the top six for both Lafreniere and Kaapo Kakko. On breakup day, Kakko talked about earning top power play minutes. There will be an opportunity under Laviolette for that.
It’ll be up to the younger players to prove they belong. If not, then trusted veteran Blake Wheeler will see some time up on the top two lines. The former Winnipeg captain is a good guy to have. He wants to win. He can also skate well for an older player. I think he’ll be a good fit. He’s a right shot with experience who can play at even strength and on the power play.
As far as Lafreniere goes, the Rangers have a shade of over three million left on their salary cap. Look for them to bridge the former top pick for around $2.5 million on average. Once that order of business is done, the off-season is likely over.
Chris Drury did okay by adding Wheeler along with gritty veteran Nick Bonino. I like the addition of Tyler Pitlick. He’s not going to blow anyone away. But he plays a hard-nosed game with energy. Those are good attributes for a fourth line player, who fans should warm up to. We’ll see if he can carve a niche under Laviolette.
Most intriguing will be Jonathan Quick playing behind Igor Shesterkin. Whoever would’ve imagined the day where the greatest Kings goalie in franchise history would crossover to NYC to play for the Blueshirts? He grew up a fan back in Milford, Connecticut. I always thought his style was similar to Rangers’ great Mike Richter. Both are America. Both won Stanley Cups. They were brilliant. Quick has two.
Of course, it’s been tough for some fans seeing other teams with more cap space improve. The Hurricanes don’t look done. After the Tarasenko deal fell through when he switched agents, they’re still in the mix for him along with Ottawa. Carolina is still figuring out whether or not they’re keeping Brett Pesce. If they can’t extend him, he’s gone. The much rumored Tony DeAngelo deal still hasn’t happened. I wouldn’t do it. He was good his one year there, but he’s too much of a defensive liability. I don’t understand why they would be interested in Erik Karlsson. Ditto for the Penguins.
The only trade that happened was Alex DeBrincat going home to Detroit for a package that included a conditional 2024 first round pick (Boston or Detroit), Dominik Kubalik, D prospect Donovan Sebrango and a 2024 fourth round pick. DeBrincat signed for four years at $7.875 million AAV. A fair deal. Ottawa will need Sebrango to become a good player on their blue line.
That’s it for now. We’re all caught up. Hopefully, there’ll be more activity soon. We’re still waiting on Connor Hellebuyck, John Gibson, possibly William Nylander, and Karlsson. Get your popcorn ready.
hasan4978
Derek
Battle Of Hudson 
You must be logged in to post a comment.