1. Art and Diseño

Minnesota Wild
Wild.com
Publication
1/28/15
Date
Wild At The Corral; Suter Takes Rest Day
By Mike Doyle - Managing Editor / View From the Lighthouse
Hockey arenas are often referred to as “barns” and the Minnesota Wild walked into one of the
cooler old buildings around for practice today in Calgary. The team dressed at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where the
Wild will face the Flames tomorrow night, and crossed the street for an afternoon skate at the Stampede Corral, a
multipurpose facility that opened in 1950.
It was amusing to see the players fully dressed with the exception of their skates, which were looped through their sticks
and slung across their shoulders, as they crossed the road.
“Everyone was game for it and it was a good practice,” Wild forward Justin Fontaine said.
Fontaine grew up in Bonnyville, Alberta, a little less than six hours north of Calgary. It was his first time skating at the
arena. An unseasonably warm Alberta day provided a pleasant jaunt across the road for the Wild, as the team went
through a brisk practice concentrating on transition and systems play.
“It feels like spring actually,” Fontaine said. “It was refreshing, kind of woke you up in the morning.”
Wild Head Coach Mike Yeo liked the way that the Albertan played last night in Edmonton. The wing assisted on the
game’s first goal, taking an Oilers turnover and sliding the puck to Nino Niederreiter.
“I thought he had a really strong game,” Yeo said. “We’ve been stressing and improving our wall play and I thought that he
was one of our best there.”
The Wild will have to be strong on the walls and in the details of its game again tomorrow night against the Flames.
Calgary currently sits in the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference, seven points ahead of Minnesota.
Rest Day For Suter
Defenseman Ryan Suter didn’t participate in practice. The blueliner had some discomfort and used today to rest. Yeo
expects him to be in the lineup tomorrow against the Flames.
“We gave him the day off today,” Yeo said. “We’re operating under the assumption that he’ll play tomorrow.”
Cooke With Family
Forward Matt Cooke was absent during today’s skate as he traveled to be with loved ones due to a death in the family.
Yeo didn’t want to go into details to respect the privacy of Cooke and his family, but said that he’ll be back for the game
tomorrow.
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Minnesota Wild
Goals for Coyle, Niederreiter are sights for sore eyes
Article by: Michael Russo
CALGARY, ALBERTA – His highlight-reel, game-winning goal Tuesday in
Edmonton still was making waves around the NHL a day later. In fact,
Charlie Coyle was pelted with hundreds of tweets and what he guesses
were 50 congratulatory text messages and Snapchats (ask your kids) from
family members and buddies.
“That was nice because I haven’t gotten that much this year,” the Wild
forward, admittedly in the midst of a tough season, said, smiling.
In fact, Coyle’s deft, casual, long-reach goal from well behind the net was
so extraordinary, it was the top play on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” “It was
pretty amazing where he was able to put that puck in from in relation to
where his body was,” coach Mike Yeo said.
Yeo is trying to get his youngsters playing a mature, responsible, two-way
game so he can trust putting them on the ice at any time. Both may not
always like it, but they say they trust they’ll develop into better players
because of this tough love.
“I guess it’s tough not getting a regular shift all the time, but you can’t think
of it like that,” Coyle said. “You get two shifts, you get 30 shifts, you have to
take advantage of it. That’s how you get better. That’s what I’m trying to do.
That’s how it is. You’ve got to work with what you’ve got.
“I’ve got to earn more ice time. That’s up to me.”
In the meantime, Niederreiter hopes his goal Tuesday will open the
floodgates for the Wild’s once leading scorer.
“So many times I’ve been close and I don’t know how it doesn’t go in,” he
said. “That gets in your head. I’m trying to reset, make sure I do all the
details right and focus on just getting my shot off when I can instead of
waiting until I make the next play.
“When you’re not scoring goals and playing with confidence, that’s when
you pass up shooting pucks. I need to get to the net and go back to having
a shooting mentality.”
Star Tribune LOADED: 01.29.2015
“I bet the other nine plays were basketball,” Coyle deadpanned.
The goal also highlighted a special game by Coyle and Nino Niederreiter,
who always seem to be joined at the hip when it comes to Yeo’s attempt to
prod each of the talented youngsters. That was the case late last season,
and that had especially been the case the past half-dozen games when
they’ve been linemates on the Wild’s ... fourth line.
Each scored in Edmonton, Niederreiter’s being his first since Dec. 16 to end
a 17-game drought. And both say they were jolted back into reality when
Yeo recently called them into his office for some, let’s call it, motivational
speaking.
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Gameday preview: Wild at Calgary
January 28, 2015 - 11:46 PM MICHAEL RUSSO
Coyle said seeing his name on the fourth line provided a “shock factor.”
“That was just a big sign for me to, ‘I need to get going. I need to build
confidence fast,’ ” Coyle said. “I think that’s been my issue this year. It’s got
to come from within. It kicked me into gear.”
Niederreiter also said confidence has become a major issue for him during
his six-week slump.
“When you don’t score, you play with less confidence,” Niederreiter said.
“You start making simpler plays and I don’t want to say you’re scared going
out there, but it’s more like you don’t want to mishandle the puck and you
don’t want to make any mistakes. And that’s when you play a little
differently than when you have a lot of confidence and just play the game.”
When Yeo spotted that confidence was at rock bottom for both forwards, he
decided to, in his words, put them on the fourth line to take pressure off,
give them a “chance to reset their game” and basically try to teach them to
play a complete game.
But by being on the fourth line, they do sometimes get lost in the shuffle
and see limited minutes. They each played less than 12 minutes Tuesday.
Before the shift that Coyle scored on with 4:23 left, he had played four thirdperiod shifts totaling less than two minutes.
“That’s the way it goes when you find yourself on the third and fourth line,”
Yeo said. “A lot of times the priority of ice time goes to other people. Ice
time to me is irrelevant right now. I know people want to look at that and
everything, but to me, if they play eight minutes, if they play 12 minutes,
make the most of it and that’s the idea here.
“I want them feeling excited for their next shift and not assuming that it’s
going to come. As we keep doing that, you’ll see that their game will keep
coming.”
Offensively, Coyle and Niederreiter are big bodies who are best when
they’re physical, crash the net and protect the puck on suffocating
forechecks. But defensively, Yeo wants them making smart decisions,
playing the system correctly and managing the puck properly.
On a Justin Schultz breakaway Tuesday, Coyle threw the puck away and
Niederreiter wasn’t doing a good enough job in covering for a pinching
Ryan Suter.
“These are things that we’re trying to drill in their head,” Yeo said.
8 P.M. at CALGARY • SADDLEDOME • FSN, 100.3-FM
Preview: The Wild, after losing 11 of 13, is 3-1-1 in its past five games and
coming off a 2-1 victory Tuesday at Edmonton. The eighth-place Flames,
seven points ahead of the Wild, have won five of their past six. The Wild
went 2-0-1 against the Flames last season and is 8-4-1 in its past 13 at
Calgary. Before that it was 3-18-4.
Players to watch: Flames D Mark Giordano, a Norris Trophy contender,
leads NHL defensemen with 41 points. D TJ Brodie is tied for 11th with 30
points and leads the NHL with a plus-25. LW Johnny Gaudreau is tied for
the team lead with 15 goals. C Jiri Hudler is tied for 25th in the NHL with 41
points. Wild G Devan Dubnyk, acquired Jan. 14 from Arizona, is 3-1 with a
1.97 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. He is 6-5-3 against
Calgary with a 2.42 goals-against average and .914 save percentage. C
Mikko Koivu, whose four-game point streak ended Tuesday, has 26 points
in 50 career games against Calgary. LW Zach Parise, who had a four-game
goal streak snapped, has 13 points in 12 games against Calgary.
Numbers: The Flames are 19-8-1 against the West this season. … The
Flames have 59 third-period goals, tied with Tampa Bay for the league lead,
and lead the league with 887 blocked shots.
Injuries: Wild D Ryan Suter (lower body) and LW Matt Cooke (death in the
family) are probable; D Keith Ballard (concussion) is out. Flames C Sam
Bennett (shoulder) is day-to-day. LW Curtis Glencross (lower body) and D
Ladislav Smid (undisclosed) are out.
Star Tribune LOADED: 01.29.2015
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Minnesota Wild
Suter, Cooke expected to play against Flames
Left wing Matt Cooke left the team and returned home due to a death in the
family, Yeo said. I’m not sure if home means Vancouver or back to
Minnesota. Cooke did sprint out of the arena after the game presumably to
catch a red-eye. However, Yeo said he is expected back in Calgary on
Thursday and is expected to play and I have a pretty good hunch Yeo is
right on this one.
January 29, 2015 - 12:44 AM MICHAEL RUSSO
If for some reason Cooke doesn’t make it back, Erik Haula will draw back
into the lineup.
CALGARY, ALBERTA – NHL ice time leader Ryan Suter missed
Wednesday’s practice because of a lower-body injury.
By the way, just a reminder, now that the Wild is carrying three goalies, this
will hamstring the team roster-wise until rosters expand after the March 2
trade deadline. The Wild plans to carry one extra forward and one extra
defenseman on the 23-man roster, and this is the new reality, Fletcher said.
However, coach Mike Yeo said Suter was just feeling some discomfort and
is expected to play Thursday night against the Flames.
Similarly, left wing Matt Cooke missed practice due to a death in his family.
He is expected to return to Calgary on Thursday and play against the
Flames.
If Suter can’t play, Stu Bickel would dress unless the Wild reassigned him
and called up another defenseman. If Cooke doesn’t play, Erik Haula,
scratched Tuesday in Edmonton, would play.
Defenseman Nate Prosser, who hit his head against the glass in the third
period Tuesday in Edmonton, practiced Wednesday, as did left wing Zach
Parise, who took a puck to the mouth and lost a tooth in the first period.
Parise said the Oilers’ team dentist had to remove the exposed nerve
during the first intermission.
Star Tribune LOADED: 01.29.2015
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Minnesota Wild
Where the Wild could run into problems is with illnesses, short-term injuries
or personal situations like Cooke is dealing with. If the team has situations
where it can’t or doesn’t want to put players on injured reserve (seven
days), there will be some inflexibility at times.
For instance, if Suter doesn’t play Friday but it isn’t serious enough to put
him on IR, the Wild either must use Stu Bickel or quickly today send Bickel
back to Iowa and get up a different D.
And just to be clear if you’re confused, Darcy Kuemper, even though he is
on a conditioning stint, is still part of the 23-man roster, is still a cap charge
to the team, is still being paid his NHL salary (one-way contract mandates
that regardless). If conditioning stints allowed teams to remove a player
from its active roster, teams could manufacture conditioning stints anytime it
has roster issues. So that’s the reason for that.
So, Zach Parise’s wife, Alisha, apparently isn’t freaking out about his face
taking a beating. She was able to fall asleep before speaking to her
husband last night. But Parise did have to calm the nerves of his mom and
aunt, he said, laughing.
“They were a little more concerned,” Parise said.
Parise also told me he had a root canal between the first and second
periods and it hurt like a you know what.
Russo: Busy off day for Wild in Calgary includes hotel switch
He did just sent me a text though with a “CORRECTION: They started the
root canal last night, didn’t complete it. Just took the nerve out.”
Blog Post by: Michael Russo
Full root canal. Partial root canal. Whatever. Reason 1,000 why I write and
don’t play.
Good afternoon from beautiful Calgary, where the incredible weather the
Wild has gotten in Alberta so far this trip is continuing. Mother Nature is
having some fun with the team in anticipation of really lowering the boom on
the team and us media wretches when we return in three weeks.
The team did have a bit of a rude welcome to Calgary in the wee hours of
the morning. It arrived at its Calgary hotel to the sight of 10 fire trucks and
400 hotel guests littered on the street in front of the hotel. I discovered it
during a moment of insomnia (too much coffee) about 2 a.m. when I saw all
these angry tweets from hotel guests.
Apparently, there was a contained fire that caused the evacuation for a
long, long time, so the Wild found a nearby hotel that had 50 rooms. It
checked in for the night, then returned to the original hotel for check-in after
today’s practice at the Corral – the old Flames’ barn that used to have Cliff
Fletcher as manager and a young (I assume punk) Chuck Fletcher running
around in the early-80s.
Cliff’s son, who doubles as the Wild GM, and Wild scout and former Flame
Jamie Hislop told some cool stories about the old arena today.
Coincidentally (maybe), a fire alarm went off in the middle of the Wild’s
practice.
The Wild best be ready to work against the hard-working Flames Friday.
This is a team with two terrific blue-liners in Mark Giordano and TJ Brodie, a
couple high-flying kids in Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan, goalie
Jonas Hiller and a team that plays with Brian Burke-like truculence (lead the
league in blocked shots) and resilience (lead the league in third-period
goals).
Defenseman Ryan Suter, whom I think I mentioned on last night’s blog was
limping around after the game, didn’t practice today. Coach Mike Yeo said
he had some discomfort and was told not to practice today. But he said he
thinks Suter will be OK and that the team is operating under the assumption
he’ll be able to play Thursday night against Calgary.
He said the dentist said he had to take the nerve out because his tooth was
completely knocked out with the nerve exposed and if he took a drink of
water, it would have (figuratively) destroyed him.
Parise, who by the way was almost nailed by another puck in today’s
practice (luckily Jason Zucker unknowingly saved him), survived the scare
pretty good. He’s having trouble eating though. I’m doing my Sunday
Insider on Martin Brodeur, and when I was interviewing Parise, he was
eating a sandwich by ripping off pieces and sticking them in the left part of
his mouth.
It was a salami and cheese sandwich, for those wondering.
How detailed is this blog????
ChAHlie Coyle said he got about 50 texts and what the kid’s call Snapchats
from family members and buddies that I assume all Snapchat sounding like
the characters from Good Will Hunting about his highlight-reel goal last
night.
I’ll admit, when Coyle didn’t center himself and it started to become clear to
me that he was going to bypass the net, I may have blurted out in the press
box to my colleague from across the river, “What is he doing???”
Then I was like, “Good play, good play,” and trust me, I’m not the only one.
A couple teammates jokingly said the same thing today.
Coyle did have two guys on his tail and astutely knew that Justin Schultz
was making a beeline to the center from the bench because Edmonton was
on a change.
“It was pretty amazing where he was able to put that puck in from in relation
to where his body was,” Yeo said.
It really is. The overhead makes it look like he’s five or six feet beyond the
net, yet he deftly and casually reaching back and tucks the puck inside the
post. Then, as amazingly, he didn’t crash to the ice.
I asked Yeo today about the way he’s treating and coaching Coyle and Nino
Niederreiter right now. They’ve been on the fourth line the last half-dozen
games or so.
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He’s basically giving them the Jason Zucker treatment right now, only
without the ability to send them to the minors because that ship has sailed.
Wednesday (More memorable: Coyle or Parise?) edition: Wha' Happened?
So he’s putting them on the fourth line and trying to teach them to play a
complete game. Zucker has developed into a pretty complete player this
season and Yeo wants Niederreiter and Coyle to follow suit.
He said he did this to give them a “chance to reset their game,” take
pressure off and give them the mindset to get in on the forecheck, play in
the offensive zone and simplify things in order to start feeling confident in
their games again.
Prior to Coyle’s big goal, I was getting a lot of tweets asking if he was even
in the lineup because Yeo was playing him so sparingly in the third period.
“That’s the way it goes when you find yourself on the third and fourth line,”
Yeo said. “A lot of times the priority of ice time goes to other people. Ice
time to me is irrelevant right now. I know people want to look at that and
everything, but to me, if they play eight minutes, if they play 12 minutes,
make the most of it and that’s the idea here. I want them feeling excited for
their next shift and not assuming that it’s going to come. As we keep doing
that, you’ll see that their game will keep coming.”
I have covered, let me do the math now, I think 12 coaches between Florida
and Minnesota now and this is the coaching philosophy of most with young
kids.
Take for instance the Justin Schultz breakaway last night. He blew by Ryan
Carter, but there were mistakes by Coyle and Niederreiter before. Suter had
pinched in before falling to the ice deep in the offensive zone to the left of
Coyle in the corner. Instead of eating the puck or putting the puck behind
the net, he tried to go high with it and that’s when the Oilers flew out of the
zone.
Minnesota Wild
Posted by: Michael Rand Updated January 28th
You see hockey players take pucks to the face fairly regularly,
unfortunately. You also see beautiful NHL goals on a nightly basis.
But the Wild’s Zach Parise and Charlie Coyle went above and beyond the
call of duty in those respective categories Tuesday in Minnesota’s 2-1 win
over Edmonton (a win the Wild badly needed coming out of the break).
Parise was nailed by a puck in the first period, and the damage was bad
enough to knock out a tooth. The cliche is that hockey players are tough,
but MY GOODNESS it does take some toughness to get hit with the puck,
lose a tooth and then be able to shake it off quickly enough to pick your own
tooth up off the ice, as Parise did. And he of course returned to the game,
logging nearly 17 minutes of ice time (third-most among Wild forwards on
Tuesday).
That was plenty memorable … but for our money, Charlie Coyle topped
Parise’s grit with one of the nicest goals in a big spot that we’ve seen a Wild
player score for a while.
Watching it live, we saw the puck go in and assumed he must have banked
it off a skate. There was no possible way, after going so wide behind the net
to elude two defending players and the Edmonton goalie, that Coyle could
possibly sneak the puck back in himself.
Except there was, somehow, a way. Just a crazy, crazy goal — and enough
to upstage a teammate who picked his own tooth up off the ice.
Star Tribune LOADED: 01.29.2015
Poor puck management.
But Yeo said, “Nino’s got to recognize that he needs to be a better F3,” too,
Yeo said. “These are little things, a couple turnovers, these are things that
we’re trying to drill in their head.” He said it’s not good enough to make one
good play followed by two poor plays. “Eliminate these bad plays,” Yeo
said.
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Heck, just look at how the Wild scored both its goals last night. Nail
Yakupov coughs it up to Justin Fontaine before Niederreiter’s goal. Jordan
Eberle coughs it up to Coyle before his big goal.
Wild: Highlight goal aside, Charlie Coyle still has much to prove
Nothing changes in Edmonton. It’s the same mistakes over and over and
over again by the Oilers’ young kids. Edmonton’s spinning its wheels
because they never improve defensively. So Yeo is trying to get his young
kids playing a mature, all-around, responsible, two-way game so he can
trust putting them on the ice at any time.
By Chad Graff Posted:
Will Yeo’s methods be right? I’ll tell you in two or three years when we see
Coyle and Niederreiter as more complete players.
Coyle, by the way, also said too many people make too big a deal about the
ice time. He said there never was a point where he was “benched”
yesterday, but the nature of the beast when you’re on the fourth line,
“Sometimes it works out where your line is ready to go out and there’s a
penalty and they go through the rotation again, so that kind of plays into it. I
guess it’s tough not getting a regular shift all the time, but you can’t think of
it like that. You get two shifts, you get 30 shifts, you have to take advantage
of it. that’s how you get better. That’s what I’m trying to do. That’s how it is.
You’ve got to work with what you’ve got. I’ve got to earn more ice time.
That’s up to me.”
I better write for the paper before my editors kill me.
Star Tribune LOADED: 01.29.2015
01/28/2015 12:01:00 AM CST
CALGARY, Alberta -- Charlie Coyle can't remember whether he found out
about his demotion to the Wild's fourth line in a formal meeting or not. He
doesn't remember exactly how things went that day a few weeks ago. That
part wasn't important.
What was, though, was the message Coyle took.
After entering this season with the highest of expectations, Coyle was
relegated to the fourth line with fellow 22-year-old Nino Niederreiter.
Coyle had acknowledged the start of the season didn't go as planned. But
after being shuffled down, Coyle said it served as a wake-up call.
"I think there definitely was like a shock factor of 'I'm not playing my best, I
need to step it up,' " Coyle said. "So that was a huge sign for me.
Minnesota Wild’s Charlie Coyle (3) skates away after scoring a goal
on Edmonton Oilers goalie Viktor Fasth (35) as Andrew Ference (21) tries
to
Coyle still must show plenty to Wild coach Mike Yeo in order to return to the
top line, where he spent much of the past two seasons. But the center has
been the talk of the NHL since scoring the winning goal Tuesday night in
the Wild's 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.
With 4:33 remaining in a tied game, Coyle circled behind Oilers goalie
Viktor Fasth, who came out to challenge Coyle on a breakaway. Fasth
forced Coyle to skate wide and around the net. But before wrapping around,
Coyle snuck the puck inside the near post while a few feet behind the net.
The play was named the top play on Fox Sports Live, SportsCenter and
TSN's SportsCentre in Canada. Coyle gained more than a thousand
followers on Twitter.
"It was kind of cool," he said, adding that he's received about 50 text
messages from friends about the play.
Yeo said he hadn't watched TV since the game but added, "If he is getting
attention for it, it's deserved. Even watching the play live, it was pretty
amazing that he was able to put that puck in in relation to where his body
was."
If Suter isn't able to play Thursday, forward/defenseman Stu Bickel would
enter the lineup.
Forward Matt Cooke left the Wild after Tuesday night's win to be with his
family after a death in the family, Yeo said.
Cooke missed practice Wednesday but is expected to return for Thursday
night's game, Yeo said.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.29.2015
One game is hardly an indication of a revamped season, though, and Yeo
added that Coyle and Niederreiter still had areas to clean up from
Tuesday's game.
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By nature of their role on the fourth line with Ryan Carter, Coyle and
Niederreiter are forced to go without regular shifts, something both were
treated to during their long stints on the top two lines earlier this season.
Watch the Wild's Zach Parise lose tooth by puck
"I guess it's a tough thing not to get a regular shift all the time, but you can't
think like that," Coyle said. "It doesn't matter if you get two shifts or 20,
you've got to take advantage of it. That's what I've tried to do. That's just
how it is. I've got to earn more ice time, and that's up to me."
Before Coyle scored the game winner, his line had been skipped over a few
times as Yeo opted to send out his first three lines more often with the
game on the line.
Coyle and Niederreiter each finished with less than 12 minutes of ice time.
Minnesota Wild
By Chad Graff Posted:
01/28/2015 12:01:00 AM CST
CALGARY, Alberta -- It's been a rough season for Zach Parise's face.
Three months after Parise received stitches and a resulting scar under his
nose because of a stick to the face, Parise was back for more repairs on his
face Tuesday night.
"But that's the way it goes when you find yourself on the third (or fourth
line)," Yeo said. "A lot of times, the priority of ice time goes to other people.
Ice time to me is irrelevant right now. I know people look at that, but to me if
they play eight minutes or if they play 12 minutes, make the most of it. And
that's the idea here. I want them just being excited for their next shift and
not assuming that it's going to come. As we keep doing that, you'll see their
game keep coming."
Late in the first period of the Wild's 2-1 win Tuesday in Edmonton, the puck,
after caroming around the boards, hit Parise in the face and knocked out
one of his bottom teeth. He bled profusely on the ice and needed stitches in
his lower lip.
Coyle has been a streaky scorer and has gone long stretches without much
this season, recording six goals in 47 games. Niederreiter snapped a
scoring slump Tuesday, netting his first goal in 17 games.
"I thought maybe there was a chance," Parise said, "but it doesn't look like
it's going to go back in."
That followed what was a hot start to the season for Niederreiter. In midDecember, he led the Wild in scoring with 14 goals his first 29 games. But
that scoring touch disappeared.
As he bled, Parise reached down and grabbed his tooth off the ice in hopes
it could be placed back into his mouth.
Parise returned to the game Tuesday in the second period with a fat lip and
fresh stitches.
It could leave another scar on a face that has taken a beating this season.
"It was definitely a big relief," Niederreiter said of snapping the slump.
"It's bound to happen to everyone," Parise said of the scars. "But this
season it's been more often to me than not."
Yeo said he isn't as concerned about the goals as he is a complete game.
In order for Coyle and Niederreiter to regain their form, they need to
eliminate the mistakes.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.29.2015
"If you're making one good play and then you make two poor plays, you're
not going to get that confidence, you're not going to feel good about
yourself," Yeo said. "So eliminate the bad plays and start building on top of
that."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.29.2015
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Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Charlie Coyle's late, great goal produces win
By Chad Graff Posted:
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01/28/2015 12:01:00 AM CST
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Ryan Suter limping but expected to play
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Charlie Coyle was a few feet behind the net when
he scored the winning goal in a crucial Wild victory Tuesday night.
By Chad Graff
Thanks to a sloppy play from the Edmonton Oilers -- one of many from the
Western Conference's last-place team -- Coyle was sprung free on a
breakaway late in the third period and buried the go-ahead tally in
spectacular fashion.
CALGARY, Alberta -- All-star defenseman Ryan Suter didn't participate in
Wild practice Wednesday because of what coach Mike Yeo called "a little
discomfort," but Yeo expects Suter to play Thursday night against the
Flames.
A great deke brought Edmonton goalie Viktor Fasth out of position, but
Coyle was forced to skate behind the net. Still, the puck remained on his
stick. So as he began to skate around the net, he used his long stick and
big frame to reach back around the net and get just enough of the puck to
force it across the goal line at 15:37 of the period.
Suter was limping after the Wild's 2-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers on
Tuesday night. But the Wild were so confident he would play Thursday that
they opted against calling up a defenseman from the minor leagues.
It gave the Wild a 2-1 victory in their first game after the all-star break.
The win over the dreadful Oilers wasn't important because of what a victory
meant to Minnesota but because of what a loss would have.
The Wild need to take advantage of the few opportunities against inferior
opponents. For much of Tuesday, they didn't.
The win over the dreadful Oilers wasn't important because of what a victory
meant to Minnesota but because of what a loss would have.
With the score tied 1-1, the Oilers had Grade-A chances in the third period.
But in typical Edmonton fashion, they didn't convert.
The Wild need to take advantage of the few opportunities against inferior
opponents. For much of Tuesday, they didn't.
That set up Coyle's heroics and improved the Wild to 21-20-6 this season.
With the score tied 1-1, the Oilers had Grade-A chances in the third period.
But in typical Edmonton fashion, they didn't convert.
In many ways, the first two periods had a familiar feel for the Wild. In the
second period, even when they did things right, they turned out wrong. After
the Wild bottled up an Oilers transition game that can be lethal, the home
team tied the score with 2:44 remaining in the second.
At the end of a long shift, Boyd Gordon attempted a backhand wraparound
that had little chance of hitting the net. The puck slid across the crease. But
instead of continuing out of harm's way, the puck hit Kyle Brodziak's skates,
changing direction as it moved into the back of the Wild's net for the tying
goal.
But it mattered little after a late Edmonton mistake turned into Coyle's
game-winner.
The Wild's Nino Niederreiter, mired in a 17-game scoring slump, played one
of his better recent and scored the first goal.
The Oilers have been basement dwellers in the NHL of late. No team has
had more top-10 draft picks since 2007. Yet many of them haven't panned
out, including former No. 1 overall pick Nail Yakupov, who gifted the Wild
the first goal of the game.
Yakupov skated in front of his net and somehow lost control of the puck,
whiffing on a last-ditch clear. Justin Fontaine was there on the forecheck to
intercept the puck and sent it to Niederreiter in front of the net for the tally.
In the first period, Wild forward Zach Parise picked his own teeth off the ice.
At least one fell out when he took a puck to the face. So, while he bled
profusely onto the ice, he bent over and grabbed the teeth that had just
been knocked out of his mouth.
That set up Coyle's heroics and improved the Wild to 21-20-6 this season.
In many ways, the first two periods had a familiar feel for the Wild. In the
second period, even when they did things right, they turned out wrong.
After the Wild bottled up an Oilers transition game that can be lethal, the
home team tied the score with 2:44 remaining in the second.
At the end of a long shift, Boyd Gordon attempted a backhand wraparound
that had little chance of hitting the net. The puck slid across the crease. But
instead of continuing out of harm's way, the puck hit Kyle Brodziak's skates,
changing direction as it moved into the back of the Wild's net for the tying
goal.
But it mattered little after a late Edmonton mistake turned into Coyle's
game-winner.
The Wild's Nino Niederreiter, mired in a 17-game scoring slump, played one
of his better recent and scored the first goal.
The Oilers have been basement dwellers in the NHL of late. No team has
had more top-10 draft picks since 2007. Yet many of them haven't panned
out, including former No. 1 overall pick Nail Yakupov, who gifted the Wild
the first goal of the game.
Yakupov skated in front of his net and somehow lost control of the puck,
whiffing on a last-ditch clear. Justin Fontaine was there on the forecheck to
intercept the puck and sent it to Niederreiter in front of the net for the tally.
True to hockey player's form, Parise returned to the ice at the start of the
second period after work was done to stop the bleeding.
In the first period, Wild forward Zach Parise picked his own teeth off the ice.
At least one fell out when he took a puck to the face. So, while he bled
profusely onto the ice, he bent over and grabbed the teeth that had just
been knocked out of his mouth.
For two periods, the Wild were the better team and played a strong
defensive game. But they weren't good enough offensively to generate
Grade-A chances.
True to hockey player's form, Parise returned to the ice at the start of the
second period after work was done to stop the bleeding.
The only NHL team with fewer points than Edmonton is Buffalo, a team the
Wild beat 7-0 two weeks ago.
For two periods, the Wild were the better team and played a strong
defensive game. But they weren't good enough offensively to generate
Grade-A chances.
Even with the win, the Wild remained in 12th place in the Western
Conference, though they gained ground on 11th-place Dallas and 10thplace Colorado, which both lost.
The only NHL team with fewer points than Edmonton is Buffalo, a team the
Wild beat 7-0 two weeks ago.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.29.2015
Even with the win, the Wild remained in 12th place in the Western
Conference, though they gained ground on 11th-place Dallas and 10thplace Colorado, which both lost.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 01.29.2015
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Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Charlie Coyle's late, great goal produces win
By Chad Graff Posted:
01/28/2015 12:01:00 AM CST
EDMONTON, Alberta -- Charlie Coyle was a few feet behind the net when
he scored the winning goal in a crucial Wild victory Tuesday night.
Thanks to a sloppy play from the Edmonton Oilers -- one of many from the
Western Conference's last-place team -- Coyle was sprung free on a
breakaway late in the third period and buried the go-ahead tally in
spectacular fashion.
A great deke brought Edmonton goalie Viktor Fasth out of position, but
Coyle was forced to skate behind the net. Still, the puck remained on his
stick. So as he began to skate around the net, he used his long stick and
big frame to reach back around the net and get just enough of the puck to
force it across the goal line at 15:37 of the period.
It gave the Wild a 2-1 victory in their first game after the all-star break.
744193
Calgary Flames
Game Day: Minnesota Wild at Calgary Flames
Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald More from Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald
Published on: January 28, 2015Last Updated: January 28, 2015 7:02 PM
MST
The Minnesota Wild drop into the Scotiabank Saddledome for their first of
two visits to Calgary this season. For the Flames, it’s the second match of a
six-game home stand and comes after a 4-1 over the Buffalo Sabres.
Vowing to make the Scotiabank Saddledome a tougher place to play, it
continues Thursday against the Wild who have their own share of problems
to worry about. Closed-door team meetings, goaltending, and suspensions,
they’re still trying to work out the kinks from a rough first half of the season.
Here are five things worth thinking about, writes Kristen Odland.
in the crease. It was a bad goal. He told me, ‘Are you really going to count
that?’ ”
5. C-NOTES
LW Johnny Gaudreau is tied for a team-leading 15 goals and is third on the
Flames with 37 points … Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Sabres was Calgary’s
fifth-straight home win over Buffalo (dating back to Jan. 21, 2006) …
Calgary has won five of their last six and are occupying the second
Wildcard spot in the Western Conference … C Josh Jooris has four-game
winners this season … In Tuesday’s win, C Sean Monahan had a fourgame goal streak snapped but is now riding a five-game point streak (four
goals, two assists) … the Flames now have 59 third-period goals and are
tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning for the league lead … On Tuesday, D
Kris Russell added another six blocked shots to add his league lead (now
149) … G Jonas Hiller starts for his second consecutive game … D Mark
Giordano’s 11 goals and 30 assists are still first among NHL-defencemen
… D TJ Brodie leads the league with a plus-25 rating.
GAME DAY
Minnesota Wild (21-20-6) at Calgary Flames (26-19-3)
1. MEET THE WILD
7 p.m., Scotiabank Saddledome
Backed by a 23-save effort by Devan Dubnyk and a late goal from Charlie
Coyle on Tuesday, the Wild improved to 9-1-0 in their last 10 visits to
Edmonton. It was Dubnyk’s first time back to Edmonton as a member of the
Wild since being dealt (via Arizona) on Jan. 14. Overall, he’s 3-1-0 in five
appearances since joining the Wild. “It’s always a fun challenge,” said
Dubnyk, who grew up in Calgary. “I know how skilled they are. Fortunately,
I’ve been on the right side.” … Mikael Granlund, brother of Calgary Flames
prospect Markus, returned to the lineup on Tuesday after missing 13 games
with a fractured wrist … Leading the Wild in scoring: RW Jason Pominville
(nine goals, 29 assists in 47 games), LW Zach Parise (19 goals and 17
assists in 40 games), and Thomas Vanek (nine goals and 20 assists in 47
games) … Minnesota is 12-10-4 against Western Conference teams …
Calgary is 19-8-1.
Flames player to watch
2. RICHARDS TALK
* B. Bollig-M. Stajan-P. Byron
Reports, particularly a tweet from TSN’s Bob McKenzie, surfaced that the
Calgary Flames are entertaining the idea of acquiring C Mike Richards from
the Los Angeles Kings who cleared waivers Tuesday and is, technically,
stationed with the AHL’s Manchester Monarchs. The move would make
sense for the Flames, who, prior to Wednesday night’s NHL action were
ranked 28th of 30 teams in the NHL in faceoff percentage (47.0%).
Richards may come with a hefty annual $5.75M cap hit through 2018, but
even in a tough season for him personally he’s ranked 20th in the NHL in
faceoffs (53.9%). The top Flames in that area are Mikael Backlund (72nd,
47.5%) and Sean Monahan (77th, 45.9%). Calgary also has the most cap
space of any team in the league ($15,763,333 according to
hockeybuzz.com). Stay tuned.
G Jonas Hiller — Starting his second consecutive game since Joni Ortio
barged in and stole the show (well, four shows, to be exact). The Swiss
goalie needs to get hot. Allowed one goal on 18 shots against Buffalo in
Tuesday’s 4-1 win and needs to be consistent in this stretch of home
games.
Lines
* J. Gaudreau-S. Monahan-J. Hudler
* L. Bouma-M. Backlund-D. Jones
* M. Raymond-J. Jooris-J. Colborne
Pairings
* M. Giordano-T. J. Brodie
* K. Russell-D. Wideman
* R. Diaz-D. Engelland
Goalies
* J. Hiller
* K. Ramo
3. ROBERTS HONOURED
Injuries
Tonight will be the first of a series of Alumni Nights with the inaugural
evening to honour longtime Flames legend Gary Roberts. The 48-year-old
will be featured in a pre-game puck drop, in-game features, and will be onhand for autographs from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (exclusively available for
purchasers of the Alumni Night game pack) and will be available for public
autographs during the first and second intermissions. Roberts played in the
NHL from 1986 to 2009, spent parts of 10 seasons with the Flames and
won a Stanley Cup in 1989. He played 1,224 NHL games between Flames,
Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Panthers, Penguins, and Lightning, scored 438
goals, logged 472 assists, and amassed 2,560 penalty minutes. Lauded for
his physical fitness, he currently operates the Gary Roberts High
Performance Centre in Toronto and trains hockey players.
* D Ladislav Smid (unspecified), LW Curtis Glencross (lower body)
4. REMEMBERING MARTY
* M. Cooke-K. Brodziak-J. Fontaine
On a day when the National Hockey League shared their favourite Martin
Brodeur stories, former Calgary Flame Doug Gilmour could remember a
good one from when he was traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the
New Jersey Devils in 1997. “The players there had a bet on what number
I’d wear,” Gilmour recalled. “(GM) Lou Lamoriello didn’t like high numbers
and tried to give me nine. I said no. I ended up with 93. Marty was the only
guy who had picked 93 and walked away with a nice amount of cash.”
Brodeur, officially, hung up his skates on Tuesday. “He had a bit of (Hasek)
in him in terms of you never knew what style he was going to play against
you from rush to rush. And he was like a third defenceman back there. He
had a sense of humour, too. I remember scoring a goal on him when I was
* R. Carter-C. Coyle-N. Niederreiter
Wild player to watch
G Devan Dubnyk — Reborn with the Coyotes and, now, with the Wild, the
former Edmonton Oiler is in a groove with his (second) new club. Currently
sporting a 3-1-0 record, a .911 save percentage, and a 2.04 goals against
average with Minnesota.
Lines
* Z. Parise-M. Granlund-T. Vanek
* J. Zucker-M. Koivu-J. Pominville
Pairings
*R. Suter-J. Brodin
*M. Scandella-J. Spurgeon
*N. Prosser-C. Folin
Goalies
*D. Dubnyk
*N. Backstrom
Injuries
* D Keith Ballard (concussion)
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 01.29.2015
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Calgary Flames
Flames notes: Marvelling at Martin Brodeur's legacy
Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald More from Scott Cruickshank, Calgary
Herald
Published on: January 28, 2015Last Updated: January 28, 2015 6:14 PM
MST
for an announcement at 1:30 p.m., which is believed to be the creation of a
new AHL division based out of the West coast.
As for Calgary’s involvement, it is expected that Stockton will be the site of
their new farm team.
A report from recordnet.com earlier this week indicated that Brian Burke
attended a Stockton city council meeting on Jan. 13 when it approved to
transfer the Thunder’s lease with Stockton Arena from outgoing owner Brad
Rowbotham to Calgary. The report also indicates that the “all-California”
division would consist of Stockton (Calgary), Bakersfield (Edmonton Oilers),
Ontario (L.A. Kings), San Diego (Anaheim Ducks), and San Jose.
The various moves and creation of the new division would allow players to
be transferred to and from their minor league teams to the Western
Conference affiliates easier.
Currently, the Flames’ No. 1 affiliate is into its’ first season stationed in
Glens Falls, N.Y.
GLENCROSS NEARS RETURN
Curtis Glencross (lower body) participated in Wednesday’s practice.
The Flames left-winger, however, will not suit up against the visiting
Minnesota Wild, which stands as his fourth missed date.
As the ink dries on Martin Brodeur’s outlandish career numbers, it is natural
to consider his legacy.
For Brad Pascall — who, as a long-time member of Hockey Canada, spent
plenty of time with the goalie, plenty of time admiring the goalie — it’s easy.
“Winning – just pure winning,” Pascall, now assistant general manager for
the Calgary Flames, said. “Whether that was winning a gold medal at the
Olympic Games or winning Stanley Cups, he will always be known as a
champion, as a winner, as a key contributor. Second to that, he’ll be known
as a big-game player. In my mind, you always knew that he was going to
make the difference in a positive manner.
“How he dealt with pressure situations. Playing for Team Canada, we were
in one-game must-wins. And how he rose to the occasion … just being a
true professional and really excelling on the international stage.
Tremendous to be around. Great person to talk to. A real leader.”
Brodeur, 42, officially wraps up his National Hockey League with 691 wins,
125 shutouts, 2.24 goals-against average, in the regular season. He added
113 post-season victories en route to three Stanley Cups.
That goes with four Vezina trophies, two Olympic gold medals and a World
Cup title.
“He’s just a guy that was always able to adapt to the game,” said Flames
goalie coach Jordan Sigalet. “Since he started out as a rookie … for him to
evolve with the game changing so much, with the speed, with the shots, the
style of play as a goalie. He was always able to stay within the game. He
was a guy I looked up to as a young goalie. I’d always try to emulate him.
“For him to have the career he’s had, with all the records broken and set,
the thing that stands out for me is his Olympic gold medal (in 2002). Just an
impressive career … someone who’ll always be in my mind as a favourite
goalie.
“It felt pretty good the last couple days, skating on my own,” said Glencross,
sidelined since the Jan. 21 match at Glendale, Ariz. “It felt all right
(Wednesday). I’m still day to day. We’ll see how it goes. I want to make
sure it’s right before I push it too much more.
“I want to be healthy. When I do come back, I don’t want it to linger.”
Glencross, 32, missed large chunks of last winter with knee and ankle
troubles.
The current issue, he says, is not nearly as bad.
“I haven’t had any major injuries at all this year, which is nice for a change,”
said Glencross. “But you want to be out there playing. You don’t want to be
sitting out. You’ve got to be patient, as frustrating as it is to be on the
outside looking in right now. I’ve got to wait for it to be ready.”
HILLER TIME
Starting in net Thursday against the Wild is Jonas Hiller (14-13-2, 2.42
GAA, .912).
“We will need the two guys,” Hartley said of Hiller and Karri Ramo. “Look at
the schedule in March. With the Brier here, we’re going to be on the road
for a long time. It’s going to be tough.
“You’re never rich enough in goaltending. Going down the stretch, if you get
good goaltending, you’re a very good hockey club.”
Hiller, lifetime against Minnesota, is 11-5-1, 2.39, .915.
— With files from Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 01.29.2015
“A winner at every level. He leaves behind a great legacy.”
Taken 20th overall at the 1990 draft — the Flames initiated a swap that
year with the New Jersey Devils so they could grab goalie Trevor Kidd with
the 11th pick — Brodeur starred for 22 NHL seasons.
744195
“I was very privileged to have the (Colorado) Avalanche win the (2001)
Stanley Cup,” said coach Bob Hartley. “I’ll remember this forever — Patrick
Roy versus Marty Brodeur. I’ll be in my rocking chair when I’m an old man,
and I’ll be thinking of Joe Sakic’s goals, Ray Bourque, but the fact that I
(could watch) the two best goalies in the history of hockey facing each other
— that was real nice.”
Flames' speedy rookie Jooris rising to the occasion
STOCKTON BABY FLAMES?
Whispers are growing louder over the American Hockey League’s move to
California.
Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving, along with NHL deputy
commissioner Bill Daly, president and CEO of the AHL David Andrews, and
management from the Anaheim Ducks, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles
Kings, and San Jose Sharks are set to be on-hand at San Jose Thursday
Calgary Flames
Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald More from Scott Cruickshank, Calgary
Herald
Published on: January 28, 2015Last Updated: January 28, 2015 5:23 PM
MST
He played against Steven Stamkos a couple of times in tournaments.
And saw him on plenty of other occasions.
This was years ago for the Ontario kids — back in their minor-hockey days,
their tween days.
Was Stamkos good then?
“I just wasn’t myself,” says Jooris. “That was the frustrating part.”
The question is greeted with an incredulous look.
It’s a fine line.
“Uh, yeah,” says Josh Jooris, laughing. “He was unreal. We were young.
Me and my dad would watch him and he’d be like, ‘Watch this guy. Watch
what he does.’ This is at 12 or 13, and I was learning from him at that age.”
Even dinged-up, first-year players want to stay in the lineup.
But crack open the National Hockey League’s freshest stats package —
what do you see?
“Being a rookie, I’m anxious — I don’t want to lose my spot,” says Jooris.
“But you don’t want to hurt the team being selfish like that. I felt I could play,
I felt I could get through it, but it was just too much.
Burlington’s Jooris and Markham’s Stamkos with four game-winning goals
apiece, deadlocking the 24-year-old centres for 11th overall.
The co-leaders — Anaheim’s Matt Beleskey and Arizona’s Oliver EkmanLarsson — have six apiece.
But being unable to put forward your best foot …
“It was good to get that game (Tuesday) and, hopefully, draw some
confidence from that.”
Calgary Herald: LOADED: 01.29.2015
But there is Jooris, tied with Stamkos, and cozied up alongside the highwattage likes Pavel Datsyuk, Tyler Seguin, Claude Giroux, Vladimir
Tarasenko.
“I saw that, too,” says Craig Conroy, assistant general manager of the
Calgary Flames. “Big goals? He’s on the ice when the game’s on the line.
It’s not like he’s scoring the fifth goal (in a 5-0 contest) and they score four
(to make his goal the game-winner). Usually our games are pretty tight.
That’s the one thing — he always seems to rise to the occasion.
“This is an interesting guy.”
Out of camp, Conroy envisioned Jooris, with those dandy wheels and that
high energy, as a 10- to 15-goal guy in the NHL — some day. Maybe.
744196
Calgary Flames
Time for Calgary Flames goalies to step up ... whoever they are
By Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun
First posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 06:08 PM MST | Updated:
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 06:23 PM MST
Jooris, after Tuesday’s decisive tally against the Buffalo Sabres, owns 10
goals — one of seven rookies with double-digit output — in only 33 outings.
This, after scoring 11 times in the American Hockey League as a first-year
pro.
“I saw him a lot — last year was challenging for him,” says Conroy, who
was responsible for keeping tabs on the Abbotsford Heat. “He was in the
lineup, out of the lineup. Not getting many points. Probably not doing what
he wanted … the role wasn’t as big as he would’ve liked.
“With Josh, his attitude’s great, even when things were definitely tough. I
remember talking to him — ‘I know I’ve got to do this, I’ve got to do that.’ To
his credit, everything he wanted to work on … after practice, you’d see him.
You knew he wasn’t happy, but he never complained.
“You know what? The year in the minors was probably the best thing for
him. He got to appreciate how hard it is. It was a long year. But if you ask
him now, (he’d say) it all worked out.”
To the point that the Flames’ brass may need to revise its expectations of
Jooris, in the final season of his entry deal.
“His game just keeps evolving,” says Conroy. “You keep thinking, ‘Where is
(his limit)?’ Hey, I don’t know. Maybe he scores 30 goals one year. Those
are the kinds of stories, when you sign a guy out of college as a free agent,
you’re hoping this is the way it’s going to work out. He’s great for us moving
forward.”
The young man’s shooting percentage of 20.0 — 10 goals on 50 shots — is
third best in the league.
But Jooris isn’t one to spend hours sifting through the tea leaves of daily
statistical updates.
“I’ve been through that before,” he says. “Being somewhat of a point
producer (at Union College) … when you expect to score you put pressure
on yourself. It can get to you. You start gripping your stick too tight when
you start looking at stats and other guys’ stats, where they are in the
standings, where you are — I think that only takes away from your game. I
have to play my game, and there’s a lot more to my game than scoring
goals.
“We have so many jobs out there on the ice, goal-scoring is just minute. If
goals come, they come.”
Question: Jonas Hiller, Karri Ramo ... or even Joni Ortio?
Answer: It doesn't really matter.
The fact is, the Calgary Flames will need strong goaltending in the second
half of the season as they attempt to make a playoff push for the first time
since 2008-09, and it doesn't matter where it comes from.
As long as they get it.
In Tuesday's 4-1 win over the lowly Buffalo Sabres, Hiller gave them just
that, making 17 saves for his first win of 2015, and he'll now get an
opportunity to string back-to-back wins together for the first time since he
won four in a row in late December, when the Minnesota Wild come to town
Thursday (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960 The Fan).
With Ortio back in the AHL following an attention-grabbing 4-1 run prior to
the all-star break, head coach Bob Hartley knows Hiller and Ramo will need
to combine their puck-stopping efforts from here on out.
One goaltender playing well likely isn't good enough.
"We will need the two guys," Hartley said Wednesday. "You look at our
schedule in March with the Brier over here, we're going to be on the road
for a long time and we're going to have some back-to-backs and it's going
to be tough.
"You're never rich enough in goaltending and we've said it from Day 1 -- we
have two goalies that can win some games for us. Right now, we're working
real hard with Karri to get him back in the groove, and Karri is a great
worker, so we feel very confident.
"Going down the stretch, if you get good goaltending you're a very good
hockey club."
While Hiller's night on Tuesday was far from busy, he did what he needed
to do, which included a big stop on Sabres winger Chris Stewart when the
game was still in a state of flux at 1-1.
"Coming back after the break, it's never easy to play against the last-place
team (because) they don't have anything to lose and falling behind one or
two goals would be tough," Hiller said. "It was a good game and I'm
definitely happy about the win and, I think, it gives everybody some
confidence going forward."
Just now, Jooris is escaping a patchy piece of scheduling.
Since Dec. 20, he’s had to deal with two injuries (lower and upper body)
and two breaks (Christmas and all-star).
Meaning his workload has been off and on — sidelined for three games,
back in for three, sidelined for five, back in for two.
Statistically speaking, the month of January has been Hiller's worst -- the
32-year-old has posted a 3.10 goals-against average and an .881 save
percentage over the past four weeks -- but the veteran feels sharp and
taking a backseat to Ortio afforded him some extra time to work on the
details.
"I'm confident right now and I feel good about myself, but I know I have to
keep it up," Hiller said.
"The good thing was it gave me some more time to work on certain things in
practice.
"I felt good about myself in practice and, normally, that carries on into the
games. I'm happy with the way it went (Tuesday) night, and even the
Anaheim game (prior to the all-star break) when I got in, I played pretty well.
It's something to build on."
Historically, the Swiss netminder has been at his best in the second half of
the season, as he holds a career goals-against average of 2.23 in January,
2.34 in February and 2.33 in March, compared to marks of 2.69 in October,
2.87 in November and 2.46 in December.
April, however, has been his worst month with a career 2.91 goals-against
average, albeit in a much smaller sample size of just 18 games.
In Hiller's opinion, the two-goalie system Hartley has been employing this
season will be a benefit down the stretch.
"Having two goalies who can play definitely helps to keep you mentally and
physically rested and not wearing down," Hiller said. "I think everybody
knows the second half is going to decide if we have a chance to make the
playoffs or not, but I thought in the past I've always found a way to step it up
for the second half of the season, so I'm trying to do the same thing this
year.-‹
FLAMES GOALTENDERS IN JANUARY
Joni Ortio
GP W L GAA SV%
5 4 1 1.98 .931
"I'll remember this forever: Patrick Roy versus Marty Brodeur," Hartley
recalled. "I'll be in my rocking chair when I'll be an old man, obviously,
thinking about Joe Sakic's goals, Ray Bourque and all this, but the fact that
I had the probably two best goalies in the history of hockey facing each
other, that was real nice. There was no easy goals on both sides."
Flames 44-year-old associate coach Martin Gelinas, who missed facing the
42-year-old Brodeur by one season in the QMJHL in the late 1980s, is also
very familiar with the longtime Devils great, who finished his career with a
seven-game cameo for the Blues this season when St. Louis ran into injury
issues between the pipes.
"The best. That's the word that comes to my mind," Gelinas said of Brodeur.
Very few are going to argue that statement, and it's backed up by a 691397-176 career record, a 2.24 goals-against average and a .912 save
percentage in 1,266 games.
Brodeur is also first all-time with 24 playoff shutouts and second in wins
(113).
Regular-season success. Playoff dominance. Longevity.
You can't ask for much more from a player who was plucked by the Devils
nine picks after the Flames selected top-ranked goaltender Trevor Kidd in
the 1990 draft.
"He's proved everything that a goaltender can prove," Gelinas said.
"Records, Stanley Cups ... he's done it all. One thing I remember is he was
a clutch guy. Anytime you needed him, he was there for his team and his
teammates and got it done.
"When the game was on the line, he was unbeatable. He was just
incredible.
Jonas Hiller
"What sums up his career and why he was the best and he's going to be a
hall of famer was he was capable of doing it year after year."
GP W L GAA SV%
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2015
5 1 3 3.10 .881
Karri Ramo
GP W L GAA SV%
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Calgary Flames
1 0 0 1.99 .923
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2015
Calgary Flames pursuit of Mike Richards raises interesting questions
By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun
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Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames remember Brodeur as one of best ever
By Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun
First posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:36 PM MST | Updated:
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:57 PM MST
It was the spring of 2001 and Bob Hartley thought Martin Brodeur might be
stealing the Stanley Cup from him.
Down 3-2 to the New Jersey Devils in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup final,
Hartley managed to find a way to lead his Colorado Avalanche past
Brodeur & Co. in a seven-game barnburner, but it provided a
goaltending duel the now-Calgary Flames head coach will never forget.
First posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:39 PM MST | Updated:
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:53 PM MST
The debate over whether the Calgary Flames should be considering the
possibility of acquiring Mike Richards is a hot one.
Everyone around town has an opinion on the 29-year-old fourth-liner who
gets paid first-line money for five more years.
Some believe he's a winner and a leader who can help the Flames dressing
room now and down the road.
Others cringe, pointing to his paltry point total (15 points in 47 games),
declining foot speed and advancing age.
Most important, they wince at the US$5.75-million cap hit.
But that's the only reason the Flames are even in the conversation or why
Richards cleared waivers and is now a member of the Manchester
Monarchs.
With Brodeur set to officially announce his retirement Thursday and join the
St. Louis Blues' front office, Hartley was asked Wednesday what he'll
remember about the NHL's all-time wins (691) and shutouts (125) leader.
The Flames have more cap space than any team in the league -- something
former-GM Jay Feaster spoke often of as a weapon his club held over the
vast number of squads up tight against the NHL's spending ceiling.
Not the toughest question that's been tossed Hartley's way.
However, despite the concept being sound, we haven't actually seen it put
to use.
"That's an easy one," he quickly shot back.
While many will remember the Avs victory for adding the ultimate feather to
longtime Boston Bruins turned Avalanche star Ray Bourque's cap, Hartley
had a different view from behind the bench.
Enter Richards.
Given his cap hit, no one in hockey would possibly suggest you'd consider
trading for the declining centre as part of a hockey deal.
But if Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi is honest with himself, he
knows it would take something creative to rid himself of a deal that could
otherwise haunt his squad for the next half-decade.
He will have to bend over backwards, which means he'd have to throw in a
top youngster or a first-round draft pick or a top prospect like secondrounder Valentin Zykov or cash or a combination of those to attract
anyone's interest. He'd also likely have to be willing to take on a pricey
contract in return.
In Calgary's case, Matt Stajan ($3.12M cap hit, three more years), Dennis
Wideman ($5.25M, two more years), Ladislav Smid ($3.5M, two more
years) and Deryk Engelland ($2.917M, two more years) come to mind.
Kings head coach Darryl Sutter would be thrilled to have a big, tough
blueliner like Engelland in the fold as he struggles without suspended Slava
Voynov. Sutter also traded for and re-signed Stajan in Calgary.
Calgary has the cap room and a well-healed ownership which could
conceivably open the door for a deal that could land the Flames a solid
player or two moving forward.
The Calgary Flames winger, however, is getting closer.
Out since suffering a lower-body injury Jan. 15 against the Arizona
Coyotes, Glencross skated Tuesday and then progressed to practising with
the team Wednesday, skating as an extra forward with recent call-ups Sven
Baertschi and David Wolf.
It didn't go as well as the 32-year-old had hoped.
"It felt pretty good the last couple of days skating on my own," Glencross
said following Wednesday's skate at the Saddledome. "It felt alright
(Wednesday). I maybe pushed it a little bit too hard (Tuesday). I'm still dayto-day and we'll see how it goes.
"I want to make sure it's right before I push it too much more. I just want to
be healthy when I do come back."
Some believed Glencross might be ready to return to the lineup Thursday
against the Minnesota Wild (7 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet 960 The
Fan), but the Flames will take the slow-cooker approach for now.
One thing is for sure: The Flames have discussed all this with the Kings, as
reported in this space in Wednesday's Sun.
Glencross, who last came close to playing a full slate back in 2010-11 when
he suited up in 79 games, has missed a good chunk of time each of the
past three seasons.
If a deal were struck, the Flames would stand to benefit in some ways but
they would also essentially be doing the Kings a huge favour.
He's taking solace in the fact this injury has been deemed minor, compared
to the ones he's dealt with in previous seasons.
And there's another one of the rubs.
"You want to be out there playing and you don't want to be sitting out," said
Glencross, who has eight goals and 26 points in 44 games. "It's something
where you've gotta be patient with it. As frustrating as it is to be on the
outside looking in right now, it's something I've gotta wait for to be ready."
The Flames just so happen to see the Kings as perhaps the biggest
impediment between them and ending a five-year playoff drought. Sitting
three points up on the Kings for the final wildcard berth before Wednesday
night's action, the Flames and their management team have more to
consider than just trading for the future now. Or would a deal like this help
the Flames short-term?
Therein lies a whole other debate: Are the Flames buyers or sellers at the
March 2 trade deadline?
Time will tell, as the Flames face a Murderer's Row of opponents -including the Kings -- following Saturday's freebie against the Edmonton
Oilers.
As admirable as the Flames unexpected playoff chase has been, many
believe any moves between now and D-Day should revolve around future
improvements.
Others argue against mortgaging this year's squad for futures.
But back to Richards.
The former 30-goal scorer has won Stanley Cups, an Olympic gold medal,
a Memorial Cup, a world unior title and has done so as both a defensive
stalwart, an offensive contributor and the type who can get under anyone's
skin while shutting them down.
Flames head coach Bob Hartley wasn't handing out much information, other
than the fact Glencross isn't quite ready to return.
"I think he was OK," Hartley said. "He was skating good."
The bench boss noted he liked the pace of Wednesday's session, and it's
nothing unusual for a team to take a few days to find its groove following
the all-star break, something that was evident during his team's slow start in
Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres.
"There was a little bit of rust in the system, and that's normal," Hartley said.
"As much as we practised hard the day before (Tuesday's game), you need
a few days to get the guys going."
Ice chips
The American Hockey League has scheduled a news conference for
Thursday at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., where a "major
announcement related to the 2015-16 season" is slated to go down. That
announcement, reported by various sources over the past few days,
involves the Flames moving their AHL affiliate from Adirondack to Stockton,
Calif., located 130 km east of San Francisco.
Let the debate rage on.
Flames GM Brad Treliving will be present for the announcement, and it
appears an AHL division on the West Coast will come to fruition, with five
teams -- the Los Angeles Kings, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks,
Anaheim Ducks and the Flames -- all icing teams in California next season
in order to be closer to their respective NHL affiliates. A rumour has the
Flames then setting up an ECHL affiliate to replace the AHL team in Glens
Falls, N.Y."‹
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2015
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2015
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However, he's lost a step, fitness has never been his forte, he's only 5-foot11, he's no longer contributing offensively, and he's expensive as hell.
Sound like the kind of player the Flames rookie GM should stick his neck
out for no matter how sweet the add-ons would be?
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames Notes: Injured Curtis Glencross not ready for prime time
Flames talking to Kings about Richards
By Scott Mitchell, Calgary Sun
By Eric Francis, Calgary Sun
First posted: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:32 PM MST | Updated:
Wednesday, January 28, 2015 05:48 PM MST
First posted: Tuesday, January 27, 2015 10:28 PM MST
Curtis Glencross isn't ready to break out the return-to-the-lineup cigars just
yet.
The Calgary Flames have been talking to the Los Angeles Kings about
Mike Richards.
A Calgary Sun source confirms GM Brad Treliving has discussed the
possibility of acquiring the 29-year-old centre from the team he helped to
win two Stanley Cups in the last three years.
Make no mistake, it would be a long shot for the Kings to be able to peddle
the fourth-liner who still has five years left in his contract at a cap hit of
US$5.75 million annually.
Given Richards’ decline in speed and productivity, Kings GM Dean
Lombardi will have to be plenty creative to free the club of Richards, who
cleared waivers Tuesday morning and was assigned to Manchester of the
AHL to save the club $925,000 in salary-cap relief.
Given how much room the Flames have in salary-cap space they are one of
the few teams in the league who may have the palate to stomach the
contract, but only if it makes sense on other levels.
Essentially, any team that takes on Richards would be doing the capstrapped Kings a favour.
For a deal to make sense, a team like the Flames would insist the Kings
sweeten the deal by adding a player like Tyler Toffoli or Tanner Pearson as
part of a swap that would see the Flames send an overpaid player or two to
L.A. as part of the deal.
Alternatively, a team could look to have a first-round draft pick and a top
prospect packaged along with Richards.
Any sort of deal might also include the Kings agreeing to pay a portion of
Richards’ salary. All are possibilities if the Kings are serious about ridding
themselves of one of the worst contracts in the NHL.
In 47 games this year, the former 30-goal scorer has just 15 points, marking
yet another year of declining numbers.
Many question the wisdom of even entertaining the idea of acquiring a
vastly-overpaid fourth-liner whose best days are behind him, but the Flames
are simply doing their due diligence and exploring options that could
possibly make sense.
After all, Richards is a leader who has won at every level he’s ever played.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 01.29.2015