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Video- Goals Of The Week

04/14/2021 at 11:53am EDT

10 of them in just over 4 1/2 minutes.

Stream- The Word On Woodward Today

04/14/2021 at 11:43am EDT

Expected guests are Larry Murphy and Ken Kal among others.

The stream starts at 12pm, watch it below.

Practicing

04/14/2021 at 11:30am EDT

via Ansar Khan tweets,

Robby Fabbri back in practice but in orange non-contact jersey, so looks like he won’t be ready for tomorrow’s game vs. Blackhawks.

practice lines:
Svechnikov-Larkin-Zadina
Vrana-Rasmussen-Filppula
Panik-Namestnikov-Gagner
Helm-Glendening-Erne
Brome-Nielsen-Smith (gray jerseys/extras)
Cholowski-Hronek
Staal-Stecher
DeKeyser-Lindstrom
Djoos-Biega
Bernier
Greiss
Pickard

power play units:
Rasmussen (net front), Erne (bumper), Larkin-Zadina (flanks), Hronek (point).
And
Gagner (net front), Svechnikov (bumper), Filppula-Vrana (flanks), Cholowski (point).

David Rittich Drops His Debut Game With The Toronto Maple Leafs

04/14/2021 at 6:42am EDT

from Mark Zwolinki of the Toronto Star,

David Rittich got a lot of credit from his coach and teammates for jumping into the Maple Leafs net so soon after being traded from Calgary.

It didn’t end well — they lost 3-2 in overtime to the Flames, their second defeat in as many nights — but that wasn’t because of the goaltending.

“I thought he looked really good,” Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe said. “I’m sure it was tough for him. Emotions were a part of it — the different coloured jerseys, the (teammates) on the other side — but it was a good debut for him.”

Rittich made his Leafs debut — asked for it, actually — less than two days after the trade. With his old club travelling to face his new one, Rittich flew with the Flames to Toronto as a member of the Leafs.

“A lot of chirps there (on the plane). Some of the guys didn’t hold back,” Rittich said. “But I got a chance to say goodbye to all of them.”

Rittich spent four years in Calgary and was solid in his first game with the Leafs, who were behind for much of the night. Zach Hyman tied the game at 1-1, and Alex Kerfoot scored in the third to make it 2-2. But Johnny Gaudreau, with a terrific inside-out deke, scored 36 seconds into the overtime period, giving the Flames a win they desperately needed to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Rittich told Keefe in their first conversation on Monday that he wanted to play right away. Keefe said he gave Rittich the night to “sleep on it,” and the goalie was still set on playing Tuesday.

continued

Catch the game highlights below.

Move Larkin?

04/14/2021 at 6:30am EDT

from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet,

-This is purely my opinion and not anything I’ve heard, but, coming out of the enormous Detroit/Washington deal, does anyone ask Steve Yzerman about Dylan Larkin? One of the reasons Anthony Mantha and Jakub Vrana were traded was due to frustration with their play (and, especially in Vrana’s case, his own consternation at the way he was being used). But another key factor is that the Red Wings feel their rebuild will take longer than originally predicted.

I’d written earlier about Detroit making everyone available except Larkin, 2020 first-rounder Lucas Raymond and 2019 first-rounder Moritz Seider (and possibly co-leading scorer Filip Hronek). Mantha is signed for three more seasons, and may be out of his prime before they’re ready. Larkin is signed for two more. He’s their captain, and it’s not insignificant to consider the fan base’s reaction. If you were another team, though, and you liked him, the Mantha deal could give you reason to ask.

- One story about Vrana: the Washington Capitals woke up on June 5, 2018, with a 3–1 lead in the Stanley Cup Final. There were two days off before Game 5, and all regulars were excused from practice. Vrana was the only one to skate. I asked him why. He said it was because he needed to practise scoring. He was 12 games without a goal at that time. Vrana then scored the first goal of the Cup-clinching Game 5. It’s always about that extra edge.

more Thoughts...

Checking In With Bruce Martyn, The Former Voice Of The Detroit Red Wngs

04/14/2021 at 6:19am EDT

from Bill Dow at the Detroit Free Press,

For 31 years as the play-by-play voice of Red Wings hockey — from 1964-65 through the 1994-95 Stanley Cup Final —Bruce Martyn called the shots. He started in Olympia Stadium in the Original Six era, lasted through the dreadful “Darkness with Harkness” and “Dead Wings” years, all the way to the eve of Detroit’s Stanley Cup championship teams at Joe Louis Arena. Along the way, rabid Wings fans became loyal followers of the beloved broadcaster who called goals — from Gordie Howe to Steve Yzerman —with his famous “He shoots………(in a higher pitch) HE SCORES” call.

After attending what would become Lake Superior State University, then dropping out of the University of Michigan, the Sault Ste. Marie native pursued his dream of radio broadcasting when he broke into the business in 1950 at hometown WSOO-AM, hosting a music show, providing news and sports reports, and announcing minor league hockey games. In 1953, he left for WCAR-AM in Pontiac — where he stayed until 1962 — doing sportscasts and hosting a weekday music show. For a short time in the early 1960s, he also announced games for Michigan State football, the Pistons, and Lions before becoming, in 1964, the first sports director of WKBD-TV (Channel 50) television. That was also when he began his Wings play-by-play work, splitting the duties on television and radio with Budd Lynch. Following the ’72-’73 season, Martyn did all of the play-by-play on radio until he retired. He dropped doing telecasts in 1985. From 1976-86, Red Wing legend Sid Abel provided color commentary. For the final seven years of Martyn’s career, former Wing Paul Woods provided the color, a role he still has with current play-by-play broadcaster Ken Kal.

continued

NHL Short Notes

04/14/2021 at 5:49am EDT

THREE HARD LAPS

* Alex Ovechkin found the back of the net on Tuesday and has now scored at least 40 career goals against six different franchises.

* Roman Josi recorded his 12th career game with three or more points to help Nashville improve to 10-2-0 since his return to the lineup.

* The top two teams in the Honda West Division set their sights on seasonal benchmarks when the Avalanche and Golden Knights take to the ice against the Blues and Kings, respectively.

Who Are Players Competing for The NHL MVP

04/14/2021 at 5:30am EDT

Read on to find out who is contention to be this seasons Hart Memorial Trophy winner and NHL MVP

Open Post- Old Faces In New Places

04/13/2021 at 6:45pm EDT

6 games tonight with some of the traded players making their first appearance with a new team.

Schedule is below and feel free to discuss anything hockey related.

I'm in recover mode but will be watching.

added 8:26pm, Anthony Mantha goal below, he has an assist too.

Video- Au Revoir Anthony Mantha

04/13/2021 at 6:21pm EDT

The Big Frenchman has moved on.

Afternoon Line- Jon Merrill

04/13/2021 at 5:59pm EDT

“It’s exciting to be in the mainstream of the hockey world, in the heart of it all,” he added. “Every day I’m in the NHL, I’m just happy to be there. Any time my name’s called to go over the boards, I’ll be ready. Whether it’s 20 minutes a night or 12. I’m really excited about the opportunity to play some playoff games.”

-Jon Merrill of the Montreal Canadiens. Herb Zurkowski of the Montreal Gazette has more.

Everybody Wins

04/13/2021 at 5:17pm EDT

from Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News,

Just like Anthony Mantha could benefit from a fresh start in Washington, the same could be true for new Red Wing Jakub Vrana.

There are lot of similarities between the two. They’re somewhat comparable players and they’ve had similar potholes this season.

It’s also why many analysts feel this, ultimately, could be a profitable trade for both organizations.

“Win-win scenario,” said NHL Network analyst Brian Lawton, who likes the Capitals’ short-term benefits of the trade, given Mantha’s strengths as a player placed onto Washington’s talented, big, championship-proven roster.

But given Vrana’s potential and skill level coupled with the first- and second-round picks Detroit received, most analysts felt the Wings got the edge in the trade and in the long term.

More: Red Wings receive high marks from analysts in Anthony Mantha trade

“(Vrana is) a comparable player, albeit a little bit younger (25 to 26), more flexibility in his contract and (draft picks),” Lawton said. “The draft picks, albeit a little late (in rounds), still fit the plan that (general manager) Steve (Yzerman) is on.

“The accumulation of a high number of draft picks will serve Detroit well. Steve recognizes talent.”

continued

2021 Memorial Cup Has Been Cancelled

04/13/2021 at 1:03pm EDT

Video- Saves Of The Week

04/13/2021 at 12:41pm EDT

Just over three minutes long.

Video- Embarrassing Moments

04/13/2021 at 10:42am EDT

via the YouTube page of the NHL.

Patrick Kane, Gabriel Landeskog, Matthew Tkachuk and others reveal their most embarrassing hockey moment

From The Washington Capitals Side

04/13/2021 at 9:54am EDT

from Samantha Pell of The Washington Post,

Mantha, 26, is a 6-foot-5, 234-pounder known for his scoring ability. He is able to play on both the left and right side and can fit in up and down the lineup. MacLellan said he will fit best with a playmaking center: Evgeny Kuznetsov or Nicklas Backstrom.

The Capitals had a conversation about Mantha with Detroit a few weeks ago, and the deal finally came to fruition Monday....

“He’s a long player. He uses a long stick. He has a good shot,” MacLellan said. “The size factor more translates to skill than a physical running over people, and I think he had that in him. He’s a big, strong guy that can play a big game and uses his size and strength and length to his advantage. I think it’s an effective style on the ice.”

To add Mantha, the Capitals lost a younger, electric winger in Vrana....

Capitals Coach Peter Laviolette expressed frustration with Vrana in recent weeks, suggesting his game needed a bit of a “reset.” In four games after sitting out two, he had one goal and one assist.

MacLellan said he felt Vrana and Panik were unhappy with their roles — Vrana in particular.

“Jakub’s a little frustrated with where he’s at here within the organization, probably wants a little more ice time, wants more responsibility, and there was a tug-of-war between coaching staff and staffs that have had him and the way he was playing,” MacLellan said.

more

NHL Short Notes

04/13/2021 at 5:26am EDT

THREE HARD LAPS

* Sam Bennett, Anthony Mantha and Jakub Vrana were among the 26 players on the move as teams made 17 trades on deadline day.

* Connor Brown extended his franchise-record goal streak to eight games, while Nathan MacKinnon pushed his point streak to double digits.

* The Canadiens snapped the Scotia North Division-leading Maple Leafs’ 10-game point streak as Jack Campbell fell to 11-1-0 through 12 appearances this season.

Videos- Media Talk After A Win In Raleigh

04/12/2021 at 10:55pm EDT

Dylan Larkin and Jeff Blashill in the first video, below find Mickey Redmond and the game highlights.

Quick Recap- Detroit/Carolina

04/12/2021 at 9:48pm EDT

Wings 3 Hurricanes 1

Instead of focusing on the final score, it's time to critique the play of the young players on the team.

Michael Rasmussen looks like he has figured out how to play and has shown great improvement his last ten games or so. He is playing with an edge and using his big body to his advantage.

Filip Zadina is in the same boat, works hard, no floating and doesn't look lost on the ice.

If those two can be depended on every night and play 18-20 minutes a game, the Wings can start thinking about the third and fourth lines.

Next season would look like- Larkin & Bertuzzi, Rasmumssen and Zadina. It's the Scotty Bowman thinking, find two who can play together and from there the third player on the line should be an easy fit or even make the third player on the line interchangeable.

Detroit goals are below.

Team stats.

High Grade For Steve Yzerman For The Mantha Trade

04/12/2021 at 9:43pm EDT

from Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press,

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman gets a top grade at the NHL trade deadline, unloading an underachiever and adding to the team’s short-term and longer-term gain without sacrificing flexibility.

He found a taker for Anthony Mantha, a superbly skilled but equally frustrating player, in the Washington Capitals, and banked a first-round pick and a former-first round pick in Jakub Vrana among the return.

“We’re trying to add draft picks or prospects to expedite the rebuild that we’re under,” Yzerman said. “This was an opportunity to acquire picks but still try to keep as competitive as possible.

“We feel like we get a replacement for the offense that we’re losing and a player at the position we’re losing in trading Anthony in acquiring Jakub.”...

“As we were getting to the trade deadline, we were talking to teams around the league to try and see if there is a fit in what we’re trying to do,” Yzerman said. “We felt like we could get a replacement for Anthony and add picks as well.

“I think Anthony Mantha is a very talented hockey player. I hope he does well, and I expect him to do well in Washington.”

more (paid sub.)

Something To Talk About

04/12/2021 at 6:30pm EDT

Looks like the Wings have been somewhat busy in regards to the Yzerplan. So far, the big news is the big Frenchman(Mantha)has been traded to the Capitals, for what looks to be a good return. Also, the busy GM has a fist full of lottery tickets now. Imma hoping there a few are winners among them.

This should be an interesting night with something to talk about during tonight's game. Who said, "trades are hard"?

It's a Live Blog!

Player & Moves Today

04/12/2021 at 5:53pm EDT

NEW YORK (April 12, 2021) -- NHL clubs made 17 trades involving 26 players today prior to the 3 p.m., ET, trade deadline. Following is a list of the transactions:

By The Numbers

04/12/2021 at 5:34pm EDT

from Dom Luszczyszyn and Corey Pronman of The Athletic,

On the surface, this looks like a relatively even trade between two first-round picks. Over the past three seasons, Anthony Mantha has scored 58 points per 82 games while Jakub Vrana has clocked in around 54 points per 82. Both have a nearly identical expected goals percentage in that span too.

That is until you get to the picks. That Washington added a first and second-round pick to this deal feels almost absurd given how even the two players involved seem to be in value.

The issue in the difference of opinion between the two likely comes down to opportunity. In that timeframe, Mantha’s contributions look larger than Vrana’s when that may not actually be the case. In each of the past three seasons, Mantha has played roughly 14.5 minutes per game at five-on-five, while Vrana was two minutes lower from 2018-to-2020 and is now at just 11.7 minutes per game this season. The difference was just as stark on the power play until this season where the two are closer to equal.

Ice time has a big impact on perception and factoring in that context tilts the scales toward Vrana’s favour. Considerably so. Over the last three seasons, Vrana has a higher points-per-60 at five-on-five than Mantha in every year. Over the full span, his 2.46 ranks 20th among forwards and is nearly 0.75 points better than Mantha’s which is a second line rate. Vrana is a far more efficient scorer, a better finisher, and creates more chances. In a bigger role, it’s not unreasonable to believe he could outscore Mantha.

more ($$$)

Below, watch all 25 goals from Vrana last season.

Let's Review

04/12/2021 at 4:53pm EDT

from Rory Boylen of Sportsnet,

The 3:00 p.m. ET deadline has passed and the dust has settled on one of the stranger trade seasons in memory.

Without the usual build up to the big day, with trades being completed a week or more out, the landscape was mostly quiet until this past weekend. The Lightning traded for David Savard on Saturday to get the ball rolling and then, late on Sunday, Toronto, Pittsburgh and Boston each made big moves.

Deadline day itself started slow, but finished with a bang as Washington and Detroit came together for a legitimate blockbuster.

continued

from TSN,

Anthony Mantha's move to the Washington Capitals headlined a flurry of moves ahead of the NHL's trade deadline Monday. Here is a look at how everything went down and the latest news from around the league.

continued

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