Brewin Flames

100 percent agree on all points, not to mention this hit was completely unnecessary and avoidable.

Howden to have Player Safety hearing for actions in Golden Knights game Forward facing discipline for illegal check to head against Tanev during win against Kraken © Zak Krill/NHLI ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom 11:50 AM Brett Howden will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Wednesday. The Vegas Golden Knights forward is facing discipline for an illegal check to the head against Seattle Kraken forward Brandon Tanev on Tuesday. The incident occurred at 6:02 of the third period of the Golden Knights' 4-1 win at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Howden made contact with Tanev's head as the latter was set to receive a pass in the neutral zone. Howden was assessed a match penalty and a game misconduct. Tanev left the game and did not return. The penalties were upheld on an official's video review. The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Games played on 10/10/23 3 games, no fights.... Soft opening night.

Lady Bing....Bedard.

Melrose has Parkinson’s disease, retires from ESPN Former coach has been analyst at network since 1996 ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom Barry Melrose, a former NHL coach and player who has been an analyst for ESPN since 1996, has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and is retiring. "I've had over 50 extraordinary years playing, coaching and analyzing the world's greatest game, hockey. It's now time to hang up my skates and focus on my health, my family, including my supportive wife Cindy, and whatever comes next," the 67-year-old said in a statement Tuesday. "I'm beyond grateful for my hockey career, and to have called ESPN home for almost 30 years. Thanks for the incredible memories and I'll now be cheering for you from the stands." Said NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman: “Barry is a unique, one-of-a-kind person. And hockey on ESPN won’t be the same without him. “For nearly 50 years, as a player, coach and broadcaster, Barry‘s gigantic personality and trademark style have made our game bigger, more exciting and more entertaining. His love for hockey is obvious and infectious. And it is impossible to have a conversation with him without a smile on your face. “Barry, we wish you well in this fight and know you will give it everything you have -- as you always do.” The news was first reported by Melrose’s broadcast partner, John Buccigross, who said on social media, “I’ve worked with Barry at ESPN for over a quarter century. Cold beers and hearty laughs in smokey cigar bars. A razor-sharp wit, he was always early & looked like a million bucks. I love him. I’ll miss him…” Melrose steps away after Parkinson's disease diagnosis Los Angeles Kings president Luc Robitaille, who played for Melrose when he coached the Kings from 1992-95, posted on social media that Melrose was “a tremendous leader who brought an incredible amount of personality to our hockey club and organization. His booming laugh is second to none.” Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements such as shaking, stiffness and difficulty with balance and coordination, according to the National Institute on Aging. About one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease, according to Parkinson’s Foundation. More than 8.5 million people worldwide have the disease, according to the World Health Organization. Actors Michael J. Fox and Alan Alda, singers Neil Diamond and Linda Ronstadt and the late boxer Muhammad Ali are among the notable figures who were diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Melrose joined ESPN as a hockey analyst in 1996 after he coached the Kings. With Wayne Gretzky as a star player, Melrose guided Los Angeles to its first Stanley Cup Final in 1993, a five-game loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Melrose was 79-101-29-0 in the regular season with Los Angeles and 13-11-0 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He coached the Tampa Bay Lightning for 16 games in 2008. A second-round pick (No. 36) by the Canadiens in the 1976 NHL Draft, Melrose was a defenseman for the Winnipeg Jets, Toronto Maple Leafs and Detroit Red Wings from 1979-86. He had 33 points (10 goals, 23 assists) in 300 regular-season games and two assists in seven playoff games. In addition to hockey and broadcasting, Melrose dabbled in acting. He appeared as himself in the hockey movie “Mystery, Alaska” in 1999 and was a guest in 2001 on the ABC comedy series “Spin City,” which starred Fox.

https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2023/10/2023-24-opening-night-roster-tracker.html

Crosby, Malkin, Letang set to make history with Penguins Entering 18th season with Pittsburgh, breaking record for longest tenure as teammates in North American sports history ByWes Crosby NHL.com Independent Correspondent October 08, 2023 PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang are set to become the longest-tenured trio of teammates in the history of North American professional sports. Crosby, Malkin and Letang will begin their 18th season with the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Chicago Blackhawks at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; ESPN+, ESPN, SN, TVAS). By doing so, they will break a tie with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada, who were teammates for 17 seasons with the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball from 1995-2011. "It means a lot, to be honest, having the chance to win three championships with these guys,” Letang said. “Been through a lot on and off the ice with these two guys. As for myself, they've always been there for me. ‘Geno’ had his fair share of injuries, Sid had his fair share of injuries. “The fact that we were always there for each other and kind of got back on our feet and kept going, it was pretty special. The fact that we were able to keep it all together, it was pretty impressive." Not much has changed in nearly two decades. Crosby and Malkin remain the top two centers, same as when the Penguins won the Stanley Cup in 2009, 2016 and 2017. Letang eventually became a top-pair defenseman, a role he has owned for more than a decade. The three have been together since 2006-07, when Malkin and Letang debuted in Crosby’s second season. Crosby was selected with the No. 1 pick by Pittsburgh in the 2005 NHL Draft, one year after Malkin was selected No. 2 in the 2004 NHL Draft. Letang was taken in the third round (No. 62) in the 2005 NHL Draft. “Obviously, Geno’s English was a little bit spotty at the time,” Crosby said. “’Tanger's’ English actually was, too, now that I think about it. All of us were obviously super young and trying to figure things out. “Really leaned on each other a lot then and still to this day. So, not much has changed that way.” Their support helped Crosby after concussion-related issues ended his 2010-11 season on Jan. 5, 2011. Lingering symptoms kept the Pittsburgh captain out of 60 games the following season. Letang had similar experiences after suffering two strokes in his NHL career. The first was late in January 2014, when tests revealed he was born with a very small hole in the wall of his heart that typically closes on its own. Letang missed five games last season after having another stroke on Nov. 28, 2022. Crosby, Malkin and Letang have naturally grown close because of what they’ve accomplished despite those struggles, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "When you spend that much time together and you go through the challenges and have some of the success and failures that they've been through in the years they've been together, you become close,” Sullivan said. “I don't think anything galvanizes friendships and relationships more than when you win championships. These guys have a number of them that they've won together.” Crosby’s only NHL experience without Malkin and Letang came in 2005-06, when he missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs as a rookie. Malkin and Letang joined the following season, helping lead Pittsburgh to 16 straight playoff appearances before failing to qualify last season. At 36 years old, Crosby has 1,502 points (550 goals, 952 assists), which is second in Penguins history behind Mario Lemieux (1,723 points; 690 goals, 1,033 assists). Malkin, 37, is third with 1,229 points (471 goals, 758 assists). Letang, 36, has the most points (691), goals (156) and assists (535) by a defenseman in Pittsburgh's history. “I've always said and believed that these guys are the greatest core that I've certainly been around and witnessed," Sullivan said. “They're in elite company without a doubt, the guys you mentioned with the Yankees, for example. These guys are in elite company from a core standpoint. ... They're generational talents, I think that speaks for itself. But all the other intangibles that they bring to the table, they just represent everything that's great about hockey.” Their time together could have ended following the 2021-22 season, though, when Malkin and Letang had the chance to become unrestricted free agents. Letang signed a six-year, $36.6 million contract ($6.1 million average annual value) to stay in Pittsburgh on July 7, 2022. Malkin followed by signing a four-year, $24.4 million contract with a matching $6.1 AAV on July 12, 2022. Staying hasn’t just been about nostalgia, Malkin said. “It’s special, for sure, but nothing’s changed,” Malkin said. “We have Sid and Tanger. We try to be the best in every practice and every game. We’re the leaders of this group. Everybody looks at us first. Try to support each other, be ready to play.” Crosby said he'd like it to stay that way a bit longer. “It’s just special. There’s no other way to put it,” Crosby said. “It’s not easy. There are so many factors. So much turnover with teams, especially nowadays where you see that it’s so uncommon that players can stay with the same team. The fact we were able to do that, it’s really special. “You appreciate that. You’re grateful for that, and hopefully, a few more years left here together.”

And those tonka trucks hurt when someone threw them at you, and durable.

Nope...., but that said, it ends the long running rumors that they both wanted out.

Connor Hellebuyck, Mark Scheifele Sign 7-Year Jets Contracts Worth $8.5M per Season FRANCISCO ROSAOCTOBER 9, 2023 The Winnipeg Jets are wrapping up their offseason in a big way. With just one day remaining until the NHL's opening night, the organization locked down both goalie Connor Hellebuyck and centre Mark Scheifele to multiyear deals Monday, ensuring their futures north of the border, according to an announcement by Jets. Hellebuyck and Scheifele signed identical seven-year deals worth $8.5 million per season. Both players were set to become unrestricted free agents after this year. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.

I don't either, but giving up puck possesion just to make a hit is kind of silly

Ducks, defenseman Jamie Drysdale reach 3-year, $6.9M deal Associated Press Oct 5, 2023, 03:54 PM ET ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Defenseman Jamie Drysdale has agreed to a three-year, $6.9 million contract with the Anaheim Ducks, ending his lengthy absence from the team. The Ducks announced the deal Thursday before their penultimate preseason game against Arizona. Drysdale is signed through the 2025-26 season. Drysdale was the sixth overall pick in the 2020 draft, and the puck-moving defenseman appeared to be a budding star while scoring 32 points in 81 games for the Ducks as a 19-year-old in the 2021-22 season. But Drysdale missed all but eight games of last season with a torn labrum in his left shoulder suffered during a hit by Vegas' William Carrier last October. Drysdale is back to full strength, and he has been training in Toronto while waiting for a new contract. Drysdale was absent from the Ducks' training camp along with leading scorer Trevor Zegras while general manager Pat Verbeek hammered out new deals with their representatives. Zegras agreed to a three-year, $17.25 million deal on Monday and reported to the team Tuesday. Zegras and Drysdale are key components of the Ducks' young core along with two-time All-Star Troy Terry, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson, the second overall pick in this year's draft. The Ducks have missed the playoffs in a franchise-record five consecutive years as they enter a new season under first-year head coach Greg Cronin.

San Jose Sharks Sign Forward Quentin Musty San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) General Manager Mike Grier announced today that the club has signed forward Quentin Musty to a three-year, entry-level contract. Musty, 18, served as an alternate captain and tallied 78 points (26 goals, 52 assists) for the Sudbury Wolves of the Ontario Hockey League in the 2022-23 season, the second-best scoring total on the team. His 52 assists were the most on the squad and most among OHL U-18 forwards. He was named OHL Player of the Week for Nov. 28 through Dec. 4 after posting nine points (two goals, seven assists) in two games, including a career-best, seven-point effort (one goal, six assists) on Dec. 4, and he recorded an 18-game point streak from Oct. 29 through Dec. 28, the second-longest such run in the OHL last season, in which he tabbed 35 points (seven goals, 28 assists). In postseason play, Musty co-led the Wolves with four points (one goal, three assists) in four games. The Hamburg, New York native earned OHL Second All-Rookie Team honors in 2021-22 after recording 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 50 games with Sudbury. He notched a pair of assists in his OHL debut on Oct. 8, 2021 and scored his first goal on Oct. 14. Prior to the season, Musty was the first overall pick in the 2021 OHL Draft. The six-foot-two, 200-pound forward was selected by San Jose in the first round (26th overall) of the 2023 NHL Draft.

Ducks sign leading scorer Trevor Zegras to 3-year deal Emily Kaplan, ESPNOct 2, 2023, 02:22 PM ET The Anaheim Ducks signed leading scorer Trevor Zegras to a three-year deal on Monday, ending a contract stalemate a week before the season begins. The average annual salary on Zegras' new contract id $5.75 million, sources told ESPN. Zegras, 22, led the Ducks in scoring last season with 23 goals and 65 points in 81 games. The center, Anaheim's first-round pick in 2019, made his NHL debut in 2021. In his first full season, Zegras was a finalist for the Calder Trophy as rookie of the year while generating massive buzz for his flashy stick skills, including pulling off a "Michigan goal" with teammate Sonny Milano in a January 2022 game against the Canadiens. That helped land Zegras as a cover athlete for the EA NHL 2023 video game. However coming off an entry level contract, the Ducks and Zegras' camp had what sources described to ESPN as "an absolute grind" of negotiations, which spilled into the second week of training camp. The Ducks did not want to sign Zegras to a long-term deal, according to sources, which also said Anaheim's initial offer came in at a significantly lower salary than the $5.75 million they ultimately agreed upon. Zegras is the second player in Ducks history to reach 60 points multiple times before age 23, following Hall of Famer Paul Kariya. "We are very pleased to be able to get Trevor signed and back on the ice where he belongs," Ducks GM Pat Verbeek said in a statement. "We view Trevor as a critical and valued player and member of our organization and can't wait to see the next chapter in his career." Verbeek was hired by the Ducks in February 2022, and is tasked with engineering a rebuild. Anaheim has not made the playoffs since 2018. The Ducks have a new coach for this season, Greg Cronin, and still have business to get done before opening night. Defenseman Jamie Drysdale, a restricted free agent, is still negotiating a new deal. Zegras, a New York native, came up through the United States development team program and played for one season at Boston University.

6 Senators Records That Could Be Broken in 2023-24 September 29, 2023 by Dayton Reimer Records are made to be broken. Last season, Tim Stutzle became the youngest player in the Ottawa Senators’ franchise history to hit 90 points and just the second 20-year-old to score over 30 goals. Meanwhile, Brady Tkachuk cemented his lead for the most shots in a single season and is the only player to score at least 30 goals and record over 100 penalty minutes, a feat that he’s already done twice before age 25. On defence, Jake Sanderson’s 32 points was the third-highest total ever recorded by a teenager. Dany Heatley, Daniel Alfredsson, JasonSpezza Tim Stutzle, Brady Tkachuk, and Josh Norris (The Hockey Writers) With so much talent on the roster, it seems like a matter of time before some long-standing franchise records are broken. Here are six single-season records that will almost certainly have a new title holder at the end of the 2023-24 season. Most Goals: Dany Heatley – 50 (2005-06 and 2006-07) In 2005-06, the Senators acquired Dany Heatley from the Atlanta Thrashers. They immediately put him on the top line alongside Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson, creating one of the best lines in franchise history. Nicknamed the CASH line after their initials (Captain Alfredsson, Spezza, Heatley) as well as the Pizza line because of an in-arena promotion that gave everyone a slice of pizza if the team scored at least five goals, the line propelled the team to their first Stanley Cup Final in 2007. It also created the organization’s first 50-goal scorer in Heatley, who would cross that threshold twice in consecutive seasons. Could we finally see a second Senator cross that 50-goal plateau? No one has come all that close since Heatley left for the San Jose Sharks in 2009-10; only Spezza and Milan Michalek have crossed the 30-goal mark before Tkachuk and Josh Norris joined them in 2021-22. Then Stutzle put up a surprising 39 goals in 2022-23, making him the highest scorer in over a decade. ESPN projected Stutzle to score 40 goals this season, making him the first player to do so since 2007-08 and putting him within 10 goals of claiming the franchise record. It’s a tall ask for him to do that this season and arguably one of the least likely records to be broken on this list, but that target is not as far away as many thought it once was. It will also be interesting to see if Norris can compete for the goal-scoring lead after leading the team in 2021-22. In any case, there are three players – Stutzle, Norris, and Tkachuk – who could all break this long-standing record in the near future. Most Points: Dany Heatley – 105 (2006-07) Although 50 goals is slightly unrealistic this season, Heatley’s 105-point season seems much more reachable. Most point projections place Stutzle well into the 90-point range and retain his place at the top of the Senators’ scoring chart, with Last Word on Sports going one step further, claiming the German phenom could be the first Senator to break through the 100-point plateau since 2006-07 with a total of 105. But Stutzle isn’t the unanimous choice to lead the team in points this season, as NHL.com projects Tkachuk to finish with a team-leading 90 points. That feels like a reasonable jump for the Senators’ captain, who posted a career-high 83 points last season. But what about hitting 100? Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators There’s an interesting argument to be made when looking at Brady’s brother, Matthew. In his first five seasons in the NHL, he was one of the top pests in the league but couldn’t get past 35 goals and 80 points. Then came 2021-22, when he broke out with 42 goals and 104 points. To prove it wasn’t a fluke, he scored 40 goals and 109 points in his first season with the Florida Panthers. Will Brady follow in those footsteps? The pair play very similar styles, and 2023-24 will be his sixth season with the Senators, so we will know soon enough whether he will erupt with a 100-point season. Most Goals, Defenceman: Erik Karlsson – 21 (2014-15) Erik Karlsson’s 82 points in 2015-16 is fairly safe for now, but his 21 goals could surpassed by one of the team’s newest acquisitions, Jacob Chychrun. ESPN projects the defender to hit 61 points in 2023-24, with 16 of those coming in the way of goals. That’s just two away from his previous career high of 18, which he put up in 2020-21 despite playing just 56 games, and he already has two pre-season goals in just two games, one of which was a game-winner. Scoring just five more doesn’t seem much of a reach, especially if he stays on the top pairing alongside Thomas Chabot. In the same vein, Chychrun could also challenge for the longest consecutive goal streak, which currently sits at just three goals and is held by eight different players, including Chabot, who did it in 2021-22. If Chychrun can score 21 goals, he surely can put at least three of those in consecutive games. The only problem is that Chychrun just can’t stay healthy. Since making his NHL debut in 2016-17, he has never played more than 68 games in a single season. Last season was one of his worst, too, as he played just 48 games split between the Arizona Coyotes and Senators. After his pre-season chemistry with Thomas Chabot, hopes are high that he can stay healthy for most of the season, but it’s difficult to know for sure if he’ll stay injury-free in 2023-24. Most Consecutive Goals: Connor Brown – 8 (2020-21) It feels strange to see the title of most consecutive goals held not by Heatley, Alfredsson, or Spezza but by Connor Brown, who never scored more than 21 goals in his career. In 2020-21, the year in which he set his personal best, he scored nearly half of all his goals in an eight-game stretch between March and April. Somehow, Connor Brown scored eight of his 21 goals in 2020-21 in just eight games (Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Clearly, the feat is not easy; Heatley and Alfredsson topped out with six consecutive goals in 2006-07, as did Spezza in 2009-10. But there are a couple of Senators that could make their case this season. The most likely candidate is Drake Batherson, who sits tied for second with a six-game goal streak from 2020-21. But veteran Claude Giroux quietly put up a five-game goal streak last season, as did rookie Shane Pinto, who scored five goals in his first six games. But this record might come down to luck; after all, Bob Kudelski also sits second with a six-game goal streak in 1993-94. Most Overtime Goals: Mike Fisher – 3 (2009-10) Mike Fisher was a fan favourite during his 11 seasons with the team and is still remembered fondly by the team and city despite finishing his career with the Nashville Predators. He wasn’t an offensive juggernaut, but he scored when it counted, leading him to set a record with seven overtime goals in 675 games with the Senators, as well as the most in a single season with three in the 2009-10 season. But there’s a new clutch player in Ottawa who will almost certainly dethrone Fisher this season. In just 359 games, Tkachuk already has six overtime goals, and last season, he was just one of two players to score multiple overtime goals, putting him within one goal of the single-season record. He’s the go-to guy for Ottawa when it comes to big moments, and there’s no question that he loves the spotlight. Most Multi-Point Games: Daniel Alfredsson – 32 (2005-06) In Ottawa, no player has more individual records than Alfredsson. He’s the team’s leader in goals (426) and points (1108) and was the longest-serving captain, wearing the ‘C’ for 13 seasons. So, it’s no surprise to learn that he also leads the team in the most multi-point games in a single season with 32, which he set in 2005-06. However, that record won’t last past the 2023-24 season, at least, if Stutzle has anything to say about it. Tim Stutzle, Ottawa Senators (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers) In 2022-23, Stutzle finished the season with 31 multi-point games in which he scored at least two points. If he can build on his 90 points in 2023-24, he should easily hit that number again, making this record all but broken already. But could he go further? Alfredsson also holds the record for the most games with three or more points with 12, which also came in 2005-06, whereas Stutzle sits a ways back at just seven. Alexei Yashin leads the Senators with the most four-point games with four in 1998-99, but Stutzle hit that three times last season, tying Alfredsson’s total from 2007-08. All those feel within reach for the Senators’ young star. The Senators are still a relatively young franchise, having existed since 1992-93. That means that their records aren’t nearly as impressive as their rivals; no one is touching Guy Lafleur’s 136 points from 1976-77 any time soon. But smaller records mean that there are ample opportunities to break them. This team is one of the best that Ottawa has ever put together, so breaking records may become a regular occurrence as they fight for the toughest record to break – winning their first Stanley Cup.

Stammer, maybe, as a player....he deserves the Brinks Truck. But the bolts as a whole, nope.

Vasilevskiy out 10 weeks for Lightning after back surgery Goalie, 2-time Stanley Cup winner, leads NHL in wins since 2015-16 Andrei Vasilevskiy is expected to be out 10 weeks for the Tampa Bay Lightning after having back surgery Thursday. The goalie underwent a successful microdiscectomy to address a lumbar disk herniation. Earlier in the week, Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Vasilevskiy was day to day, but there were no long-term concerns and that he expected the goalie to play in one of the Lightning's final three preseason games. The goalie practiced for the first time Tuesday after the he had limited himself to group work for the first four days of training camp. "It's early in training camp, so we don't need to rush anything along with him," Cooper said Sunday. "When he's ready to go, he'll be there." The Lightning open the regular season Oct. 10 against the Nashville Predators. They play their 28th game of the season on Dec. 7, 10 weeks from Thursday. Vasilevskiy was 34-22-4 with a 2.65 goals-against average, .915 save percentage and four shutouts in 60 games last season, the sixth straight season he had at least 30 wins. He had led or tied for the NHL lead in wins each of the previous five seasons from 2017-22. The 29-year-old won the Vezina Trophy in 2018-19 and has finished top five in voting in five of the past six seasons. Since 2015-16, he leads the NHL in wins (256) and is third in shutouts (31). Vasilevskiy helped the Lightning win the Stanley Cup in back-to-back seasons, playing every minute in the 2020 and 2021 playoffs. He was 16-7 with a 1.90 GAA, .937 save percentage and five shutouts in 23 games to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in 2021. At the Lightning's media day, Vasilevskiy hinted that he would take a slower approach to camp after making some adjustments to his offseason training program. "I made some changes, nothing much," Vasilevskiy said. "I am paying attention to my recovery a lot more now." The Lightning currently have three other goalies on their training camp roster -- Jonas Johansson, Matt Tompkins and Hugo Alnefelt – with Johansson the only one to have started in an NHL game. Johansson has played 35 NHL games (28 starts) with the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers and Buffalo Sabres and is 11-13-4 with a 3.32 GAA and .887 save percentage.

Past my bedtime, but i'll be there.

I love the positive attitude of flyer fans after the first pre-season game, although i can think of a few fans who may slightly disagree...... .Keep yer heads up.

Bussi Shuts Out Rangers in Exhibition Opener Goalie’s 29-save performance highlighted by sensational glove stop ByEric Russo @erusso22 BostonBruins.com 11:35 PM BOSTON – Normally, the preseason atmosphere can be a bit dull. The names on the roster aren’t always familiar, the play on the ice generally isn’t as fast or intense, and the buzz around the rink tends to be a bit blander. But on Sunday night at TD Garden, the stands were packed and the Black & Gold faithful produced some more juice than usual for an exhibition tilt. Perhaps, it was because the Bruins – particularly backstop Brandon Bussi – gave them plenty to cheer about during a 3-0 victory in the preseason opener over the New York Rangers. “Just a wild experience overall,” said Bussi. “I don't think I've ever played in front of a crowd that excited, that much energy. And it’s only preseason. It's a testament to how great our fans are. And it was just a super exciting experience to do it here for the first time.” The 25-year-old netminder was responding to a question about the raucous standing ovation he received for what will surely end up being one of the saves of the season. Early in the third period, Bussi went into a full extension as he lunged to his right to snag a one-timer off the stick of Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski. Bussi, who catches with his right hand, pulled the puck back off the goal line in mid-air to keep his shutout alive en route to a 29-save blanking of the Blue Shirts. “Credit to their power play, they were snapping the puck around,” said Bussi. “Sometimes you’ve just got to compete and get a little luck…so I'm pretty fortunate. I made that save, and a lot of credit to the team for the defense in front of me. It was a great effort tonight.” “It was unreal. Honest to God,” said Bruins coach Jim Montgomery. “It was a great play by them, but the fact that he read it, I mean, that’s a double slot line play – they go in at 75% [rate] because it’s a yawning cage that someone’s looking at, and they put it three quarters of the way up the net. That wasn’t low glove…he went and snared it. That’s big-time athletic ability.” Bussi, a native of Sound Beach, New York, was eager to seize the opportunity to start the exhibition opener as he kicks off his second professional season, while knowing the competition between the Boston pipes – with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark and Jeremy Swayman ahead of him – is quite stiff. “I think I was just more excited for the opportunity,” said Bussi, who was signed to a one-year, two-way extension in June. “I worked really hard last year and kind of climbed the ladder in a way…excited with the opportunity, didn't really have an expectation. I think the whole point of preseason and training camp is to be ready for opening day. So that was my goal. Did I know that tonight was going to happen like this…I mean, you just compete and you see what happens.” It's that approach that has served Bussi well over the past several years as he has continued to surprise. After quietly making the way through the ranks at the junior level, Bussi jumped to Western Michigan where he played for three seasons before signing as a free agent with the Bruins in March 2022. “Just how he started the year, [the Providence Bruins] weren’t sure what they had, and every time he went in net, kept making saves and saves, and stole a lot of games last year for them down there in tight games,” said Montgomery. “He wasn’t a highly recruited player until his last year of junior hockey, then he went to Western Michigan and wasn’t there very long. He’s a late bloomer and he just keeps getting better.” After starting the 2022-23 campaign with the Maine Mariners of the ECHL, Bussi went on to have a strong showing with the P-Bruins, posting a 22-5-4 record with a .924 save percentage (second in the AHL) and 2.40 goals against average. The 6-foot-4, 218-pounder was also named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game and the 2022-23 AHL All-Rookie Team. “Just so much learning,” Bussi, who also backed up for a few games in Boston toward the end of last season, said of his first full year in Providence. “Through the coaching staff, the vet players, just playing, seeing different places, everything was just an overall learning experience. And I definitely feel a lot more comfortable being here for training camp this year than last year.” Bruins center prospect Johnny Beecher saw firsthand last season the way Bussi was able to command the crease. “He’s a gamer,” said Beecher. “I think the biggest thing about Bussi is he’s an amazing guy and everybody in the locker room loves him, everybody’s rooting for him. He’s done a spectacular job since he’s signed with the program. “Last year, starting in the [ECHL] and then coming up here and getting the back-up for some games, it’s pretty special to see what he’s done. Couldn’t be happier for him.” Bussi speaks with media after preseason shutout Poitras Pots One It was a strong night for the Bruins’ youngsters as center prospect Matthew Poitras also impressed in his preseason debut with a goal and an assist. The 19-year-old pivot opened the scoring at 7:20 of the first period when he took a feed from blue liner Reilly Walsh and sneaked a wrister through Rangers goalie Jonathan Quick on the power play. “Just being able to get on the power play, feel the puck, gain a little bit of confidence – and seeing that one goes in definitely goes a long way to settle the nerves down, just get going,” said Poitras, who later in the second period made a nice feed to Jake DeBrusk on the winger’s goal that doubled Boston’s lead at 3:04 of the middle frame. “Felt pretty good. Obviously, it’s a lot different than I’m used to. It’s faster, guys are bigger, so just felt better as the game went on and felt more confident with the puck.” When it comes the details of Poitras’ game, Montgomery pointed to the Ontario native’s compete level as being one of his strongest attributes. “He competes on draws, he competes for loose pucks, not timid at all in any area,” said Montgomery. “There’s one play in the second period where he dove down to win a battle and he got low and he won that battle and he drove by someone to take a hit. “He could’ve taken a hit – he took a glimpse of a hit, and, again, a sign of an elusive player that they didn’t get a big piece of him. Those kind of plays show me his competitive fire, that he wants the puck.” While Poitras was certainly trying to avoid taking any big hits, the 2022 second-round pick did say the uptick in physicality was noticeable. “Obviously the hits along the wall hurt a bit more and they drain your energy a bit more. That’s the main thing I noticed, but I felt good out there,” said Poitras, who added that he’s been told by the Bruins’ brass to focus on being more reliable in the defensive zone. “For me it’s just trying to be hard on pucks, get body positioning, be in the right area for the D if they need me coming up the middle. I think just keep supporting the D, being strong down low, and being a bit physical.” Montgomery said that it will be “a big challenge” for Poitras to break camp with the big club but that the young put himself in a strong position to start the preseason. “It’s a man’s league out there,” said Montgomery. “He didn’t see the NHL tonight, so it’s a really good start, but that’s what he needs to do, right? He played a really good game, and he’s gonna get another game, and if he keeps playing, he’s gonna get rewarded and continue to get rewarded for it. It would be a pleasant surprise if he was able to do it.” Poitras posts a 1-1-2 in B's 3-0 win Beecher Buries Continuing the youngsters theme, Beecher capped the scoring for the Bruins when he took a feed from Jakub Zboril in the neutral zone and finished off a semi-breakaway with a five-hole finish on Quick at 8:07 of the third period. “It’s huge. Just a confidence booster,” said the 22-year-old. “Obviously, everybody loves seeing the puck go in the back of the net. I think it’s a big thing for me relying on my shot, all the training that I had this summer. Always nice to get the first one out of the way.” Beyond the goal, Montgomery said he was pleased with overall effort of the 2019 first-round pick. “He had a good game,” said Montgomery. “He needs to continue to show it throughout camp. That’s the thing…as camp goes on it gets harder and the people that rise to the top are the ones that are gonna make it, so it’s a really good start for several players tonight, and they got to keep building on that.” Beecher echoed Montgomery’s sentiments, saying that he must build off and learn from his performance if he wants to crack the Boston lineup come Opening Night. “I think looking throughout the game, a lot of good things but a lot of little detail things that I either made the wrong read on or just kinda jumped the zone a little bit,” said Beecher. “I think the good thing is that I can recognize those pretty much as soon as they’re happening. At this level, plays are getting made so fast and I think a big thing for them that they want to see is all the little details taken care of. I’m just cleaning up those little things and the rest should fall in place.” Beecher scores as Bruins beat NYR 3-0 Wait, There’s More Patrick Brown and Zboril both left the game early and did not return due to injury. Montgomery said both exits were precautionary. “We just didn’t want to take any chances,” he said. Montgomery on Fabian Lysell’s performance: “I thought he showed really good speed. I thought his best period was the third period…because of special teams and rotation assignments, the second period we killed and he didn’t kill tonight. But the third period I thought he showed a lot of poise, a lot of attacking the middle of the ice.”

1st pre-season game in the books, matty looked like a goal scorer, which is why we drafted him.

Hatty For Matty Coronato scores three and Huberdeau notches a pair as Flames hammer Canucks 10-0 ByTY PILSON @typilson CalgaryFlames.com 11:04 PM Multiple times during the third period Sunday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome the C of Red broke into chants of "We want 10!" Each time it seemed to get a little louder. With just over seven minutes to play, Matt Coronato granted the wish when he scored his third of the night as part of a 10-0 rout of the visiting Canucks in Calgary's first preseason tilt of the new campaign. Jonathan Huberdeau scored a pair, while Jordan Oesterle, Nazem Kadri, Noah Hanifin, Connor Zary and Ben Jones also tallied, as the more veteran-laden Flames side dominated the contest. Coronato finished with four points. Jacob Markstrom played the first 40 minutes, stopping all 20 shots he faced. Oscar Dansk finished off the final 20 minutes, stopping six of six. When Flames head coach Ryan Huska was asked about his goals for the preseason on Saturday, he cut to the chase. "Yes, they're exhibition games and, yes, it's an opportunity for guys to make impressions, but you want to win those games, too, 'cause that's a standard that you want to set," he said. Mission accomplished on the this night. The Flames came out flying on the opening shift to set the tone, with Adam Ruzicka feeding Dillon Dube who moved it quick to Kadri for a nifty shot that tested Canucks starting netminder Arturs Silovs early. Newcomer Oesterle opened the scoring at the 2:25 with an unassisted marker, his point shot finding its way through a maze of bodies and redirecting into the cage off the skate of Canucks defenceman Jett Woo - a former Calgary Hitmen blueliner. The highly-touted Coronato - the Flames first-round pick in 2021 (13th overall) - made it 2-zip at 5:25 with a heckuva effort, tipping a Hanifin blueline offering on net, Silovs making the stop but Coronato getting his own rebound and putting it home from his knees at the side of the net. The Flames made good on their third PP of the night, and boy it was pretty. And filthy. And straight nasty. Kadri passed to Huberdeau who toe-dragged the puck around Noah Juulsen, who went spinning down to the ice, and snapped it bar down, shortside high over the shoulder of Silovs. Dennis Gilbert got the crowd on its feet when he ran over Nils Hoglander along the right-wing boards in the Vancouver zone just past the midway point of the first, Matt Irwin waiting for him to stand back up before the pair dropped the mitts for a quick scrap, Gilbert getting the decision. Kadri made it 4-0 with an absolute jawdropper - sick, as the kids would say these days. He took a pass behing the Canucks net and then skated out around the far pipe and, with Juulsen right behind him in his pocket trying to contain him, wired a no-look backhander right under the bar. Kadri made a quasi swim move to get around Woo in the neutral zone and grab a loose puck, eventually making a cross-ice feed to Huberdeau and he made no mistake, snapping the puck bar down with clang over Silovs' far shoulder at the 9:35 mark of the middle stanza. Coronato made it an even half-dozen when he pounced on a turnover deep in the Canucks zone and calmly snapped it home at 10:30. Just 1:12 after that, Hanifin stepped into a howitzer that found net before Silovs could get his glove up to stop it, ending his night. He was replaced by Zach Sawchenko after allowing seven goals on 18 shots. The Flames wasted no time lighting the lamp again in the third period, Zary making good on his second crack at the puck right on the doorstop for a powerplay marker 1:25 into the final frame. Coronato battled hard behind the Vancouver net with Jack Rathbone to get possession of the puck and then keep it, before feeding Jones who beat Sawchenko at 4:12. Then came Coronato's final marker. Coronato rifles home the hat-trick goal to make it 10-0 Flames The Lineup: The trios, D-pairs and goalie that started the tilt. FORWARDS Jonathan Huberdeau - Elias Lindholm - Yegor Sharangovich Adam Ruzicka - Nazem Kadri - Dillon Dube Dryden Hunt - Ben Jones - Matt Coronato Martin Pospisil - Connor Zary - Adam Klapka DEFENCE Noah Hanifin - Rasmus Andersson Jordan Oesterle - Chris Tanev Ilya Solovyov - Dennis Gilbert Brady Lyle GOALIES Jacob Markstrom Oscar Dansk

First bruins pre-season game tonight. Alot of youngsters in the line-up, should be interesting.

Yep, he'd probably win the calder if not for a guy named Bedard, but we shall see...