'Fixing' The Penguins

03/16/2024 at 4:01pm EDT

from Larry Brooks of the New York Post,

When the Penguins failed to qualify for last year’s playoffs, GM Ron Hextall was brought to the public square, and was shamed and stoned. Oh, and fired, too. Kyle Dubas, a star-power guy despite his roots in junior hockey, absconded from Toronto to take the job and immediately tripled down by trading for Erik Karlsson, age 33, with three years left on his contract for an annual $10M cap hit.

The team has been lousy, and now the organization is facing carnage. Crosby, having a marvelous season at age 36, has only one more year to go on his contract. No. 87 sounded about as unhappy after the trade deadline at which favorite winger Jake Guentzel was shipped away for futures as Henrik Lundqvist did when the Rangers went into their rebuild/reset mode in 2018.

The King, of course, chose to stay. There is no telling what Crosby will do, even as folks seem to believe it will be automatic for him to sign an extension this summer. It is not about loyalty, and certainly not in a triple-cap business. Joe Sakic played his entire decorated 20-season career with one franchise and never left Colorado — but he would have if the Avalanche hadn’t matched the Rangers’ 1997 offer sheet.

As No. 87 decompresses after the season, he is going to have to decide what he loves most — Pittsburgh or competing for Stanley Cup championships. Either way, the franchise is facing years of distress. I’m just wondering how the league is going to fix it.

I mean, correct it.

more and other topics....

Quick Recap- Wings/Sabres

03/16/2024 at 3:08pm EDT

Wings were down 1-0 to Buffalo after 20 minutes. A bad five-hole goal by Reimer. The Wings are 2-15-2 when trailing after the first period.

Two goals from the Wings in the second period to put them up 2-1 after forty minutes.

Daniel Sprong scored for Detroit with just over six minutes left in the third, 3-1 Detroit.

Raymond put the puck into an empty net and Wings win 4-1.

Team Stats

Below a Larkin update and the Detroit goals.

Make It Go Your Way

03/16/2024 at 12:00pm EDT

Good day and welcome to everyone. Red Wings fans do not want to hear one more player, coach, or anyone connected to this team say, “It’s just not going our way.” Stop with this nonsense, and make it go your way, because that’s what winners do. Losers make excuses.

The projected lineup has Reimer in goal, and, Berggren as scratched.

It’s the Sabers vs the Red Wings. The puck is set to drop around 12:30 ET and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, and on the Red Wings Radio Network 97.1 (The Ticket in Detroit) for your listening pleasure. Also available on NHLN, MSG-B, and SPORTSNET+.

It’s a Live Blog!

The Upcoming GM Meetings

03/16/2024 at 10:34am EDT

from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic,

The NHL’s annual March GMs meetings take place next week in Palm Beach, Fla., a three-day affair beginning Monday.

Let’s examine some of what’s expected to be discussed:...

3-on-3 on the agenda

You may remember that at the last GMs meetings, in November in Toronto, managers and league officials discussed three-on-three overtime and whether it needed tweaking to help avoid the long possessions and leaving the offensive zone to constantly regroup, etc.

“I am in favor of exploring tweaks,” Armstrong told The Athletic at the time. “Three-on-three is excellent entertainment when played with pace and multiple scoring opportunities. It is usually the top-end skilled players on the ice, and to have them show off their speed and skill is great for the fans.”

Added Kraken GM Ron Francis, also in November this first time this came up: “I just think OT is not as exciting as when it first came in — not as many change of possessions with all the regroups. So we are trying to look at if there was a so-called ‘over-and-back line,’ does that change things? I like the thought process.”...

LTIR conversation expected

Even if it doesn’t end up on the official agenda per se, the expectation what is that the league will be open to hearing from GMs on where they stand regarding the LTIR/salary-cap/playoff discussion. A couple of teams have already reached out to the league about it....

Hockey ops presentation, coach’s challenges

As always, the league hockey ops department, led by Campbell, will have a presentation, and the timing in mid-March is always perfect as far as going over things ahead of the playoffs.

Specifically, hockey ops will go over examples from this season of video review for coach’s challenges on offside and goalie interference, looking at close calls to explain why certain decisions were made and what to look for in similar circumstances come playoff time....

more ($) on each of the above...

Morning Line -Kevin Allen

03/16/2024 at 9:50am EDT
This is a day when the Detroit Red Wings need an exceptional goaltending performance from James Reimer. The Red Wings need a confidence booster, a performance like Reimer turned in on Feb. 17 when he made 38 saves to shut out the Calgary Flames.

-Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now where you can read more on this topic plus the Penguins are still in the race....

NHL Short Notes

03/16/2024 at 12:29am EDT

* In the span of 10 days, the Eastern Conference playoff race has morphed from one team being within five points of the bracket to a five-team mix entering a pivotal afternoon of play that includes contests on ABC, ESPN+, Hulu, Sportsnet ONE and NHL Network.

* The Art Ross Trophy race will be front and center as well on Saturday as leader NathanMacKinnon faces third-ranked Connor McDavid on Hockey Night in Canada. Other top storylines will see the Stars honor Mike Modano and the Predators put their lengthy point streak on the line in a key Wild Card race matchup.

* Friday saw both the Jets and Kings claim their sixth shutout of the season, as Tyler Toffoli scored his first two goals in a Jets uniform (to help them regain first place in the Central Division standings) and Kings captain Anze Kopitar set a franchise record by hitting the 20-goal mark for the 13th time in his career.

The Wings Today

03/15/2024 at 4:17pm EDT

A bit late today. All via Ansar Khan tweets,

lines:
DeBrincat-Compher-Kane
Perron-Veleno-Raymond
Rasmussen-Copp-Fischer
Fabbri-Czarnik-Sprong
Berggren (extra)
Gostisbehere-Seider
Chiarot-Petry
Maatta-Holl
Walman not skating
Lyon/Reimer/Husso
Note that if Berggren plays one more game, he’ll need waivers to go back to @griffinshockey meaning he’d be here to stay for the duration.

KK- I Am Home

03/15/2024 at 12:10pm EDT

Kind of groggy and just got home. Was told to make it an easy day today by the Doc.

I'll touch base later today.

What Singaporean Casino Players Prefer The Most With Casino Websites

03/15/2024 at 12:00pm EDT

Many big casinos are in Singapore, and the city keeps growing. Singapore is famous for its nightlife and casinos, making it a top destination. The casinos in Singapore offer lots of different games. It's a financial center where tourists can play various casino games worldwide.

Multiple Problems With The Wings

03/15/2024 at 1:55am EDT

from Kevin Allen of Detroit Hockey Now,

The Detroit Red Wings can’t seem to figure out how to play with the same confidence and effectiveness they showed in January. They have now lost seven games in a row and don’t seem any closer to figuring how to solve their issues.

The problem: it’s not one thing. It’s everything.

It’s the team’s defensive play, the inability to generate scoring, lack of jump, slow starts, leaky goaltending, untimely mistakes, loss of confidence, lack of resilience, Dylan Larkin’s absence and pressure forcing the players to press. This is a Detroit squad that has scored 12 goals in their seven losses.

“In your career you go through some things like this,” Detroit coach Derek Lalonde said. “It’s just trying to find some answers throughout the lineup. It’s reality. We have not handled our group very well with Dylan out. There’s no reason for that. He’s a special, special player. He’s our engine a lot of nights but we have very capable group, very capable lineup. I think it’s got to be a little more emphasis on those defensive mistakes.”

continued

Below watch Chiarot, Perron and Lalonde after the game. Plus Mickey Redmond on the adversity the Wings are facing.

NHL Short Notes

03/15/2024 at 1:40am EDT

* Offensive performances from Brayden Point and Nikita Kucherov – with six- and five-point outings, respectively – allowed Point to match a franchise record and Kucherov to move within three points of League-leader Nathan MacKinnon in the Art Ross Trophy race.

* The Eastern Conference Wild Card race intensified further Thursday after the Islanders suffered a loss while the Capitals, Sabres, Devils and Penguins moved within one, three, four and five points, respectively, of a playoff spot.

* Auston Matthews became the first player to score 40 even-strength goals in multiple seasons in more than two decades, while Ilya Samsonov tied a Maple Leafs mark with his seventh straight road win.

* Connor Bedard will look to become the first 18-year-old in NHL history to post three consecutive games with three-plus points when the Blackhawks face the Kings during a two-game slate.

Quick Recap- Detroit Red Wings/Arizona Coyotes

03/14/2024 at 9:41pm EDT

Going to try taking it easy tonight.

Coyotes win 4-1, the losing streak hits seven.

Team Stats

Detroit goal is below.

Until The Wings Win One

03/14/2024 at 6:30pm EDT

Good evening and welcome to all. As far as the Red Wings go, it’s all been said this week in various media. With that in mind, there is nothing new to say until the Wings win one, or, lose another.

Sprong is out. Czarnik is in. As of 4:01 PM I’m not sure who’s starting in net. Lyon is listed as the projected starter.

It’s the Coyotes vs the Red Wings. The puck is set to drop around 7:00 PM and will be broadcast on Bally Sports Detroit, and on the Red Wings Radio Network 97.1 (The Ticket in Detroit) for your listening pleasure. Also available on ESPN+/NHLPP, SCRIPPS, and SPORTSNET+.

It’s a Live Blog!

TSN Insiders Tonight

03/14/2024 at 6:26pm EDT
TSN Hockey Insiders Darren Dreger and Pierre LeBrun outline the topics to be discussed at the upcoming NHL GM meetings, including Department of Player Safety, LTIR, 3-on-3 OT and the coaches’ challenge.

Watch at TSN

Corey Perry Contract Resolution Reached

03/14/2024 at 5:04pm EDT

KK/A2Y- The Next 24 Hours

03/14/2024 at 12:30pm EDT

Tomorrow at 8:30 am I have a Colonoscopy procedure scheduled

Today I start preparing for it around 12:30pm and will probably be indisposed for a few hours afterwards.

I admit I am pretty nervous at this point and hope everything goes well.

The Morning Skate

03/14/2024 at 10:34am EDT

Morning Hockey Thoughts

03/14/2024 at 10:23am EDT

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

- San Jose agreeing to trade Tomas Hertl — and retain for six years — is an admission that it’s time to renovate right to the studs. Initially, this was not supposed to be a teardown. Ownership didn’t want it, and Mike Grier understood. But, now everyone sees it cannot be avoided. Once Vegas showed interest (and I do believe now the Sharks softly gauged the market), they came to the decision it was time to accept a new reality. It’s better for Hertl, it’s better for San Jose. My only concern for him: those knees. He avoided a major reconstruction, and I hope that continues.

- The more I’ve thought about John Tortorella’s ejection and suspension, the more I’m convinced the NHL and its officials have to make officials available to explain these calls. If it’s something as simple as Wes McCauley standing up for a teammate having a bad night, I don’t understand why that can’t be revealed. It would go a long way towards building trust, and the silence in these cases erodes confidence in officiating.

The NBA fined Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert $100,000 for making the “money gesture” at officials after fouling out of a game last week. He followed up with, “I'll be the bad guy…but I think it's hurting our game. I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn't feel that way.” It’s only a matter of time before an NHL player says — or does — something similar, and that’s un-good for everyone. I thought Oliver Bjorkstrand might do it when he was so angry at a non-call right before the Golden Knights beat Seattle.

more Thoughts including what's next on the expansion front...

Austin Czarnik Recalled On Emergency Basis

03/14/2024 at 10:05am EDT

Missing- Jagr Bobbleheads

03/14/2024 at 9:54am EDT

Patrick Kane On Detroit's Losing Streak

03/14/2024 at 4:15am EDT

from Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now,

There’s no player on the roster of the Detroit Red Wings who can match the winning resume of three-time Stanley Cup champion Patrick Kane. So when he speaks about what it takes to succeed in the NHL, you’d best listen up.

Just the other day, Kane was assessing the club’s performance during their current six-game losing skid. He’s not at all impressed with what he sees going on with the team.

“Just the details of our game, effort level, compete,” Kane said. “I think when you outwork, when out out-compete your opponent, you increase your chance of winning that game. It just hasn’t been there for us.”

It’s somewhat startling to hear the effort of the Red Wings being questioned. Even during the dark days of the rebuild under GM Steve Yzerman, rarely has the team’s work ethic been seen as an issue.

continued

Canucks Surrender Four Unanswered Goals In OT Loss To The Avalanche

03/14/2024 at 3:54am EDT

from Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet,

Nathan MacKinnon’s power-play one-timer in overtime was mostly blocked by Juulsen, but as the puck ascended roughly towards Whistler, it struck the visor of Nichuskin in front of the Vancouver net and tumbled past goalie Casey DeSmith to give the Avalanche a 4-3 win in a game the Canucks led 3-0 until the final seconds of the middle period....

That first Colorado goal, just so you know, was directed in by Mikko Rantanen’s stick with 1.8 seconds remaining after an Avalanche shoot-in was going to rim around to Juulsen but hit the photographer’s hole in the glass and bounced crazily towards the slot.

There was some bad luck to go with the dodgy calls that went against the Canucks, as their four-game winning streak ended while the Avalanche extended their run to five straight victories.

But, as Juulsen said, the Canucks never should have been in a spot where a bad call or bad bounce could cost them this game.

They led Nathan MacKinnon’s team 3-0 on home ice and were yielding next to nothing in scoring chances (and had allowed only 15 shots) prior to a defensive-zone faceoff that the Canucks actually won with 16 seconds remaining in the second period.

“That goal definitely gave them belief,” Canuck centre J.T. Miller, who scored 24 seconds into the game and set up Ilya Mikheyev’s first goal in 35 games at 2:44, lamented to reporters. “It's all that team really needed.

“Sh-- happens though. We should be able to come up in the third, two-goal lead at home against one of the best teams in the league. I don't understand any better reason to get up for that. It just sucks.

“This (loss) is all us. We didn’t win our battles, didn’t execute our passes. We were dumping it in for no reason. No forecheck. They outplayed us, they deserved to win.”

read on

Game highlights are below.

NHL Short Notes

03/14/2024 at 3:36am EDT

* Zach Hyman became the first Oilers skater to score four hat tricks in a season since Wayne Gretzky did so nearly 40 years ago and added $5,000 more to AstraZeneca’s donation to the Hockey Fights Cancer Fund of the V Foundation.

* Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen both extended lengthy streaks as they helped Colorado earn its League-leading third three-goal comeback win.

* A handful of Eastern Conference clubs are set to battle for playoff positioning during a 12-game Thursday, highlighted by the Flyers hosting the Maple Leafs on Hulu and ESPN+.

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