Brewin Flames

The Arizona Coyotes may have a star on their hands. Logan Cooley was drafted by the Coyotes with the third overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The expectations are high for Cooley but he also expects big things from himself going into his rookie year. “I’m super competitive,” Cooley said via PHNX’s Craig Morgan. “I’ve always had high expectations for myself going to the hockey rink. I want to help this team win as many games as possible. I want to contribute to the team in any way possible, but yeah, I do want to put up big numbers, I do want to compete every night and I want to win the Calder Trophy. The reason I turned pro is because I felt ready to take the next step and I’m confident in my abilities to do those things that I want to accomplish this year.” The 19-year-old was nothing short of spectacular during the Coyotes first preseason game Friday night in Australia against the Los Angeles Kings. He made a statement in the second period scoring a highlight-reel goal that left everyone at Rod Laver Arena in awe. Cooley had an incredible preseason debut but his work is far from over. Prior to his goal, the rookie turned over the puck leading to a Kings goal. Some young players would let a mistake like that ruin their game but not Cooley. “He showed that he learned,” Coach André Tourigny said. “He learned what to not do and at the same time he showcased what he can do.” The Calder Trophy won’t be an easy award to win by any means for Cooley. The Chicago Blackhawks rookie phenom Conor Bedard is widely considered the favorite to win this award. However, both Cooley’s words and actions on the ice sent a clear message that he should not be counted out.

Winnipeg Jets Sign Colby Barlow to Entry-Level Contract SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 The Winnipeg Jets announced on Thursday, September 21st, that they’ve agreed to terms on a three-year entry-level contract with their 2023 18th overall draft selection Colby Barlow. Barlow’s three-year entry-level contract carries an average annual value of $1.2 million per season. Barlow’s salary will be made up of $855,000 in base salary and $95,000 in signing bonuses. The 18-year-old Barlow posted 46 goals and 39 assists for 79 points in 59 games with the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League. Barlow also gathered multiple other awards throughout his 2022-23 season. He was selected to the OHL’s First All-Star Team and was awarded the OHL and CHL’s Scholastic Player of the Year. In international competition, Barlow helped Team Canada win gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and Bronze and the U18 World Championship. Barlow made his Winnipeg Jets debut during the 2023 Young Stars Classic in Penticton, B.C. He scored once through three games for the Jets. Barlow Looks to Make An Impact Immediately The Jets took a massive swing during the 2023 NHL Entry Draft when they called Colby Barlow’s name. The team has incredible depth in their forward core, which means Barlow will certainly be battling for a spot in the lineup. Head Coach Rick Bowness certainly has some tough decisions to make when it comes to the lineup, but Colby Barlow will most likely find himself in a top-line role with the Manitoba Moose. The ceiling for each player is high, and hoping the Jets don’t suffer another injury-plagued season; there will be a constant need to fight for a roster spot. Currently, in the Jets training camp, Barlow is on a line with Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Barlow is quite clearly impressing many people throughout training camp, and if this translates to the regular season, the Jets might have to make some tough decisions.

Great first post, glad to have you.

Flames Sign Parker Bell ByCALGARY FLAMES STAFF @NHLFlames CalgaryFlames.com 1:15 PM The Calgary Flames announced today the signing of forward Parker Bell to an entry-level contract. Bell spent the 2022-23 campaign with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans where he notched a career-best 25 goals and 39 assists for 64 points, second among all Tri-City skaters. Bell would also score two goals and add four assists for six points in six playoff games with the Americans. The 19-year-old got his first taste of professional hockey at the end of the 2022-23 campaign as well, skating in two contests with the Flames AHL affiliate the Calgary Wranglers, notching an assist. BORN: Estevan, SK DATE: September 26, 2003 HEIGHT: 6’4” WEIGHT: 205 lbs. SHOOTS: Left DRAFTED: Fifth round (155th overall) in the 2022 NHL Draft AAV: $857,500

Beat me to it...LOL DeSmith traded to Canucks by Canadiens for Pearson Goalie played in career-high 38 games with Penguins last season ByNHL.com @NHLdotcom 6:09 PM Casey DeSmith was traded to the Vancouver Canucks by the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday for Tanner Pearson and a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. DeSmith, who has one season remaining on a two-year, $3.6 million contract ($1.8 million average annual value) he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on July 5, 2022, was 15-16-4 with a 3.17 goals-against average and .905 save percentage in an NHL career-high 38 games (33 starts) last season. The 32-year-old was traded to the Canadiens by the Penguins in a three-team deal that sent defenseman Erik Karlsson from the San Jose Sharks to Pittsburgh on Aug. 6. Signed by Pittsburgh as an undrafted free agent on July 1, 2017, DeSmith is 58-44-15 with a 2.81 GAA, .912 save percentage and nine shutouts in 134 regular-season games (115 starts). He has played in one Stanley Cup Playoff game (three goals on 51 shots). Pearson hasn’t played since Nov. 9, when he injured his hand while blocking a shot. The 31-year-old forward, who had five points (one goal, four assists) in 14 games last season, was originally expected to be out 4-6 weeks, but the injury required multiple surgeries and prompted an internal review of his care by the Canucks. Pearson is entering the final season of a three-year, $9.75 million contract ($3.25 million AAV) he signed with Vancouver on April 8, 2021. Selected by the Los Angeles Kings in the first round (No. 30) of the 2012 NHL Draft, Pearson has 272 points (133 goals, 139 assists) in 590 regular-season games with the Kings, Penguins and Canucks. He also has 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 51 playoff games, including helping Los Angeles win the Stanley Cup in 2014.

The ducks would disagree.....

Gonna Lock til season starts.

It's early, but might as well make the thread now....Regular Season Fights only. The 2023/24 "Fight Club" The rules of "Fight Club"... 1st Rule "You do not talk about fight club" 2nd Rule "YOU DO NOT TALK ABOUT FIGHT CLUB" 3rd Rule "If someone yells stop, goes limp, taps out, the fight is over" 4th Rule "Only two guys to a fight" 5th Rule "One fight at a time , fellas" 6th Rule "No shirts, no shoes" 7th Rule "Fights will go on as long as they have to" And the 8th and final rule of "Fight Club" is... "If tonight is you're first night at fight club, you have to fight"

2023–24 NHL team preview: Calgary Flames Mike Gould Aug 25, 2023 LAST SEASON What a nightmare the 2022–23 season was for the Calgary Flames. It couldn’t end soon enough for fans in Calgary, many of whom were glad to see the team part ways with veteran head coach Darryl Sutter very early in the offseason. In Sutter’s final season with the Flames, practically every forward on the team experienced a decline in productivity — especially Jonathan Huberdeau, who went from 115 points to just 55 in his first year after being traded by the Florida Panthers. The Flames have no choice but to gun for a playoff berth in 2023–24. Huberdeau’s eight-year extension is only just beginning, as is MacKenzie Weegar’s eight-year pact. Nazem Kadri and Jacob Markstrom have plenty of term remaining. This isn’t a team that can be torn down to the studs overnight. Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk are long gone, but the Flames almost snuck into the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs despite nearly everything going wrong. If a few things can swing back in their favor, maybe the Flames can return to relevance this year. KEY ADDITIONS & DEPARTURES Additions Yegor Sharangovich, LW Jordan Oesterle, D Departures Tyler Toffoli, RW (NJ) Milan Lucic, LW (BOS) Trevor Lewis, C (LA) Troy Stecher, D (ARI) Michael Stone, D (Retirement) Nick Ritchie, LW (UFA) Matthew Phillips, RW (WSH) OFFENSE Huberdeau might not be a 115-point scorer at this point, but he’s also unlikely to repeat his 55-point output from the 2022–23 season. The truth, as it so often does, probably lies somewhere in the middle. It’ll be up to new Flames head coach Ryan Huska to put Huberdeau in a position to succeed in his second season as a Flame. If all goes well, perhaps Huberdeau follows the path Joe Pavelski took when he arrived in Dallas, going from 31 points in his first year as a Star to around a point-per-game pace in the subsequent three seasons. For $10.5 million a year, Huberdeau simply needs to be better. Although this Flames offense might not be as potent as it has been in the past, there are still some formidable weapons here. Elias Lindholm is a strong two-way center with an excellent shot, although he’s entering the final year of his contract and the Flames have yet to sign him to an extension after a summer of talks. Nazem Kadri has plenty of term left on his deal, but he’ll turn 33 in October and has plenty to prove after struggling in the second half of last season. Mikael Backlund is a Selke Trophy-caliber defensive forward and a longtime alternate captain, but, like Lindholm, he’s a pending UFA who hasn’t exactly jumped at the opportunity to re-sign. Andrew Mangiapane, Dillon Dube, and Blake Coleman are all secondary players who can hold their own at both ends of the ice, with Mangiapane offering the most upside of the three. And then there’s new acquisition Yegor Sharangovich, who could slot in on Huberdeau’s opposite wing after coming over in the Tyler Toffoli trade with the New Jersey Devils. Sharangovich is a rangy winger with an excellent shot and he only just turned 25 in June. If he pops off in an increased role, the Flames might be able to deploy a legitimately dangerous top scoring line. DEFENSE If the Flames make the playoffs, it’ll probably be because of their defense. Weegar largely lived up to his end of the bargain in his first season as a Flame, offering a rock-steady presence on the blueline (even if, like many of his teammates, he struggled to score). With eight years still to go on his contract at a very reasonable annual rate, Weegar is widely considered one of the top candidates to be named the Flames’ new captain. Rasmus Andersson is the other obvious option to wear the “C” (not the flaming one) on his chest going forward. He’s been a Flame for many years and was one of very few players whose offensive output remained strong in 2022–23. Andersson is on a bargain contract — $4.55 million AAV for the next three years — and has always been a vocal leader on and off the ice. He also plays with a ton of swagger, something the Flames sorely needed more of last season. Earlier this summer, Daily Faceoff‘s Frank Seravalli reported that Noah Hanifin has directly indicated that he will not sign an extension with the Flames. Hanifin is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2024 and the Flames have been actively involved in trade discussions with interested parties all summer. But with Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov still in the fold and Oliver Kylington set to return to the lineup after missing all of 2022–23 while dealing with a bout of mental illness, the Flames have plenty of insurance in place if and when they do pull the trigger on a Hanifin trade. There’s just one problem: Tanev, Zadorov, and Kylington are also set to become UFAs in 2024. GOALTENDING In the 2019–20 and 2021–22 seasons, Jacob Markstrom posted save percentages of .918 and .922. In 2020–21 and 2022–23, Jacob Markstrom posted save percentages of .904 and .892. We haven’t seen such an up-and-down trajectory for a goaltender since Craig Anderson’s heyday with the Ottawa Senators. In any event, if the pattern holds, Markstrom is due for an “up” year. He might stand to benefit from being used in more of a tandem arrangement instead of being run into the ground as he was under the Flames’ previous head coach. Dan Vladar is a competent backup goaltender. He only just turned 26 earlier this week and his .895 save percentage in 2022–23 was slightly higher than Markstrom’s, although Vladar generally played against lesser competition. Both goaltenders need to be better in 2023–24 lest they want to give top prospect Dustin Wolf a chance to steal their jobs. The Flames’ .893 team save percentage in 2022–23 ranked 27th in the NHL, but Wolf stopped 23 of 24 shots in his NHL debut against the San Jose Sharks on April 12. COACHING Darryl Sutter absolutely had to go after the Flames’ disastrous 2022–23 season. The Flames ultimately decided to bestow the head coaching gig upon longtime assistant coach Ryan Huska, who had previously served under Sutter, Geoff Ward, and Bill Peters in Calgary. Huska played with Jarome Iginla on the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers in the 1990s and eventually played in one NHL game with the Chicago Blackhawks before retiring in 2000. Huska joined the Kelowna Rockets as an assistant coach in 2002 before becoming the team’s head coach in 2007. In 2009, Huska coached the Rockets — including current Flames forward Mikael Backlund — to the WHL championship. The Flames hired Huska as their AHL head coach in 2014 before promoting him to their NHL coaching staff in 2018. Rounding out the Flames’ new-look coaching staff are assistant coaches Marc Savard, Dan Lambert, and Cail MacLean. Savard, who played with the Flames from 1999 to 2002, joined the Flames this summer after spending the previous two seasons as head coach of the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires; Lambert worked with Huska in Kelowna and succeeded him as head coach of the Rockets in 2014. MacLean is the lone assistant coach returning from Sutter’s staff. ROOKIES Matt Coronato has a chance to play a big role for the Flames in his rookie season. The former Harvard University sharpshooter signed his entry-level contract with the Flames in the spring and made his NHL debut in the 2022–23 season finale. The Flames originally selected Coronato with the No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Coronato boasts a fearsome shot and great speed, even if his five-foot-10 frame won’t exactly strike fear into NHL defenders. If all goes well and Coronato locks down a top-nine role out of training camp, a 20-goal season could be in the cards. Wolf played his first NHL game on the same night as Coronato, although the young goaltender has a much longer track record as a professional. Wolf made his American Hockey League debut in the 2020–21 season and subsequently won the league’s Goalie of the Year award in both 2022 and 2023, helping the Flames’ farm team win back-to-back AHL Pacific Division titles. Although Markstrom and Vladar currently project to form the Flames’ tandem in goal, the team could move one of those two netminders during the season if Wolf proves he’s ready for primetime. BURNING QUESTIONS 1. Who will be named captain? After going two full seasons without one, te Flames have made it clear that they will name a captain before the 2023–24 season. MacKenzie Weegar and Rasmus Andersson are the two leading candidates, but don’t discount Mikael Backlund, the Flames’ longest-tenured player. Backlund, Jonathan Huberdeau, Elias Lindholm, and Chris Tanev served as alternate captains in 2022–23. 2. When will Noah Hanifin be traded? The Flames have yet to lock down a trade partner for Hanifin, who is now the top defenseman on the market after the Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson. Hanifin has made it clear that he will not sign a contract extension with the Flames. If and when Calgary does trade Hanifin, expect them to look for immediate help as part of the return. 3. Will Elias Lindholm stick around? The Flames and Lindholm have gone back and forth all summer, with rumors swirling that the club is looking to lock down its No. 1 center on an eight-year deal. Bo Horvat’s $8.5 million AAV with the New York Islanders could be a critical reference point for both sides. If Lindholm does decide to stay, he’ll need to find chemistry with Huberdeau for any deal to be worth it. PREDICTION It’s hard to predict how a team will perform when you don’t really know what they’ll look like by the end of the season in question. The Flames have been extremely quiet this summer — too quiet — but the other shoe is bound to drop at some point. Rookie general manager Craig Conroy has repeatedly stated that he doesn’t want to lose his pending unrestricted free agents for nothing (as his predecessor did with Johnny Gaudreau in 2022), but the more jaded fans in Calgary won’t believe it until they see it. Patience and pragmatism have never been the Flames’ hallmarks, and it’d hardly be a surprise to see them hold onto their UFAs-to-be as their “own rentals” in a half-baked bid to make a deep playoff run in 2024. Until they actually chart a different course, we’ll have to defer to precedent. The Flames’ saving grace might be natural regression to the mean. Even if their roster isn’t particularly good, it’s also not nearly as bad as it performed in 2022–23. There are good players on these Flames, and the Western Conference has turned into a bit of a minefield of potential lottery teams. The Flames should be able to collect two points from the Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators enough times to sneak into the postseason, even if it’s only as a Wildcard team. But unless Huberdeau finds another gear and Markstrom posts Vezina-worthy numbers down the stretch, these Flames will be fortunate to make it to the second round.

Boston Bruins: 3 Bold Predictions for 2023-24 August 30, 2023 by Scott Roche As the calendar turns to September in two days, that means the 2023-24 NHL season is right around the corner. The Boston Bruins will gather at Warrior Ice Arena in the middle of the month for training camp with a different-looking roster than the one that ended the season in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Florida Panthers. It will be challenging for the Bruins to come close to doing what they did last season in winning the Presidents’ Trophy and setting a new NHL record for wins and points in a season. With that said, here are three bold predictions for the upcoming season. Bruins Trade for Top-Six Center During the Season Losing Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci are two losses that are going to be tough to overcome as there is not really an option already within the organization. Entering training camp, Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle are the two most likely options to fill those roles, but can either of them be able to handle the responsibilities for an 82-game schedule? There certainly are no prospects ready to make the jump to the NHL to fill a void. Pavel Zacha, Boston Bruins With no answers available currently in the organization, help will have to come through a trade for either Mark Scheifele of the Winnipeg Jets to Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames. Acquiring either of those players is going to include players off of the current roster, prospects, or draft picks. How they would go about putting a package together would be interesting, but it’s going to be likely they will need to trade for a center. Waiting until either one of those players reach free agency is unrealistic. If they get traded, they are more than likely going to sign with that team long-term, if not with their current team. In the big picture, a trade is going to the route that general manager (GM) Don Sweeney will need to go to get his future top center. Bruins Power Play Will Finish in Top 5 Despite all of the success the Black and Gold had last season, their power play actually got worse as the season went along. Both units struggled and even at times, their zone entries were as bad as they had been in a long time. Turnovers at the offensive bluelines led to shorthanded goals down the other end.Now Bergeron is gone on the top unit and Krejci is gone from the second unit and you would think that they would take a step further back. I’m going in the opposite direction and think they will find their groove again, be a big part of their offense this season, and return to a top-five unit in 2023-24. There is still too much talent on the roster to continue their slide into a new season. Brad Marchand, Jake DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, and David Pastrnak return while Zacha is more than capable of sliding onto the top unit as he played well on the second unit last season. James van Riemsdyk, Jesper Boqvist, and Morgan Geekie are additions this offseason in free agency that could see some time on the man advantage as well. Again, there is too much talent to see this unit fall off again. Bruins Will Miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs Some might think is not a bold prediction, but there are multiple reasons why the seven straight seasons of making the postseason come to an end in 2023-24. First of all, their lack of center depth, unless a trade is made (hello prediction No. 1) is going to catch up with them over a long season, nevermind if there is an injury to two up the middle. Second, the rest of the Atlantic Division and Eastern Conference got better and three teams, the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, and Pittsburgh Penguins all got better this offseason after missing out on a wild-card spot last season. Connor Clifton is a nice addition to the Sabres’ defense, while the Red Wings adding Alex DeBrincat, and the Penguins trading for Norris Trophy-winner Erik Karlsson are big additions to teams that were close last season. Scoring depth is a big question mark for the Bruins entering the season and placing a lot of pressure on their defense and goaltending to win a lot of 2-1, 3-2 games is a tall ask in the NHL. The Centennial Season for the Bruins will be one that seems to be a transition year ahead of the 2024 summer where they will have a lot more cap space for free agency. Lacking a top-six center is not something that they can survive through an 82-game schedule and with other teams in the division and conference getting better, it’s easy to see them taking some steps back in 2023-24.

What an absolute train wreck....

Blue Jackets HC to Resign Mike Babcock is expected to step down as head coach (Friedman)

That's Dr. Rechi....

If my new boss said... "I'd like to get to know you better, can you show me a photo of your family, or something that interests you" No Problem. If my new boss said "I'd like to get to know you better, give me your phone so i can look at your photos" F%#@ Off. Simple as that, and i think that there is waaaaay to much ado about nothing.

You are 100% correct, although it is a sad sorry world we live in.

He did something stoooopid, and he knows it. He's gonna pay the price the rest of his life in the eys of the public eye, lets not ruin his life. If he's good enough, let him play.

Lindholm willing to sign contract to stay with Flames Forward entering final season of 6-year deal, can be UFA after 2023-24 ByAaron Vickers NHL.com Independent Correspondent September 13, 2023 CALGARY -- Elias Lindholm is willing to sign a contract to remain with the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old forward is in the final season of a six-year, $29.1 million contract ($4.85 million average annual value) he signed July 16, 2018, and can become an unrestricted free agent after the season. "I've been pretty clear, I'm willing to stay," he said prior to playing in the Calgary Flames Celebrity Charity Golf Classic on Wednesday. " … We've got to work it out. Right now I'm focusing on the season and the rest will take care of itself." Lindholm has 325 points (139 goals, 186 assists) in 369 games in five seasons with Calgary, including an NHL career-high 82 points (42 goals, 40 assists) in 2021-22, when he finished second in voting for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward in the NHL. Last season, he was second on the Flames with 64 points (22 goals, 42 assists) in 80 games. "I love it here," Lindholm said. "I love Canada as a country and Calgary as a city. Ever since I've got here it's been great, fans have been good, everyone's treated me well, great teammates. So far so good." Flames general manager Craig Conroy said the goal is to keep Lindholm. "We're just talking to him and talking to his representation and just moving forward," he said. "Everybody wants something to be quick, but it's just been a slow process. We're going to continue to work at it. "He's open to it. Now it's just a negotiation. It never goes quite as quickly as everyone would like. We're just in that process. The one good thing is these are all good guys, they're all happy to be here, there's no issues with that. That's the one thing. They're not saying, 'Hey, I'm not coming to camp,' or 'I'm unhappy.' With Elias, we're working on a deal. That's where it is. Can we get something worked out? That's really the main focus right now." Lindholm is one of six Flames who can become a UFA at the end of the season, along with forward Mikael Backlund and defensemen Noah Hanifin, Nikita Zadorov, Chris Tanev and Oliver Kylington. "Lot of guys on one-year deals," Lindholm said. "We're just focusing on the season. That's all I can do. Try to be competitive out there and have a good season." The Flames (38-27-17) finished two points behind the Winnipeg Jets for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference last season. Conroy was promoted to replace Brad Treliving as GM on May 23, and assistant Ryan Huska was named coach June 12, replacing Darryl Sutter. "It's exciting," Lindholm said of the changes. "I know Huska, he's been around on the bench for a long time. He's a great guy. Haven't had him as a head coach but you know where he's at. … We're excited, and he's a great guy. 'Conny' has been around a long time too, so we're excited." Lindholm said he feels good about the Flames' playoff chances despite all the changes and contractual uncertainties. "We still have pretty much the same team," he said. "We had some good moments in the season last year. We just have to string it all together and be more consistent. We have some really good players and we have to be more consistent. I'm excited about the season. You always say once you get in (to the playoffs) you never know. You look at Florida, they got in in the last second there and almost made it the whole way. "Last year we were coming in with a lot of expectations, and on ourselves as well. Didn't live up to them but still pretty close to making the playoffs. We still have the same team. Maybe it's good for us to be a little underdog here."

Exactly, just some hack looking to stir up s%&t

I miss the old metroboards/sudden death hockey forums. I thought e had a solid community, good hockey banter and good times, but after awhile attracting new members became hard and the site slowed, combined wuth the explostion of FB hockey groups that are rum amok, it's hard to convince anyone to join a forum/message community. But, i like it here, was never a fan of HFboards.

Babcock talks Blue Jackets offseason improvements in Part 3 with NHL.com Coach discusses plans to fix defense issues, expectations for No. 3 pick Fantilli © Columbus Blue Jackets ByNicholas J. Cotsonika Mike Babcock, one of the most accomplished coaches in hockey history, is taking over the Columbus Blue Jackets this season in his first NHL job since the Toronto Maple Leafs fired him Nov. 20, 2019. This is the third story in a three-part series. (Part 1 | Part 2) BRIGHTON, Mich. -- When Mike Babcock looks at the Columbus Blue Jackets, the coach doesn't see the team that finished 31st in the NHL last season and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third year in a row. He sees young players like defenseman Adam Boqvist and forwards Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko. He sees difference-makers like defenseman Zach Werenski and forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine. He sees a leader in forward Boone Jenner, the captain. And he sees a team that improved in the offseason by selecting forward Adam Fantilli with the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and trading for veteran defensemen Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson. "They have, in my opinion, lots of kids," Babcock says, "and they have lots of things that I think you can fix quickly." How does Babcock plan to fix the Blue Jackets? He decided against studying last season after he took the job July 1. Injuries were a big reason the Blue Jackets didn't play up to their potential. Better to have fresh eyes and give the players a fresh start in training camp. "It was going to be no good to anybody," he says. "Why would I catch them doing it wrong? Let's catch them doing it right. We're going to camp, we're going to get to know each other, and we're going to work." The Blue Jackets have been doing R&D to prepare for camp, except Babcock doesn't call it "research and development." He calls it "rob and do." "Take the best from the best teams," he says. "What are they doing? What leads to winning? Take it. Make it your own." Babcock is realistic. He knows the Blue Jackets can't, say, mimic the Edmonton Oilers power play that set an NHL record by clicking at 32.4 percent last season. They don't have forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. That said, they have studied the top four teams in each category tracked by the analytics firm Sportlogiq, and they've studied the final four teams in the playoffs. "I've gone to our analytics people, and I've said, 'What's the No. 1 indicator of being in the playoffs?'" Babcock says. "They tell me. I look at it. That's our No. 1 priority for our team." Of course, that's classified. "You can guess anything you want," Babcock says with a smile, "but I ain't telling ya." But Babcock will tell you this: "Our ability to play with structure is going to be real important for us, so the way we backcheck, the way we stop on defense, the way we compete there," he says. "But we've got to be way heavier in the offensive zone. We've got to spend way more time in the offensive zone. And so, I have a plan in every area, obviously. I've spent a lot of time." The players sound primed to buy in. Babcock ranks 12th in regular-season wins (700) and eighth in Stanley Cup Playoff wins (90) in NHL history. He has won the Stanley Cup (2008 with the Detroit Red Wings) and been to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final twice (2003 with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and 2009 with the Red Wings). He coached the Toronto Maple Leafs from 2015-16 until he was fired 23 games into the 2019-20 season. His first season, they finished last in the NHL, but had pieces in place and selected center Auston Matthews No. 1 in the 2016 NHL Draft. By 2017-18, they had 49 wins and 105 points, team records at the time. He also has won the IIHF World Junior Championship (1997), the IIHF World Championship (2004) and the Olympics twice (2010 and 2014) with Canada, and he has won the World Cup of Hockey (2016) with Team Canada too. "You know his pedigree and what he has done in this league and through a number of years of coaching," Jenner says. "He brings that experience to us. He's obviously very intense and knows exactly how he wants to play, how he wants us to play and what we're going to get out of each guy, so very exciting for us players." Werenski grew up in the Detroit area watching Babcock win with players like defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom and forwards Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg. "He was a big reason for their success," Werenski says. "Just excited to get it going and see what he's all about. I think he's going to get this team moving in the right direction quickly, and I'm excited for that." * * * * * Let's start with defense and goaltending. The Blue Jackets ranked 31st in goals against per game (4.01) and 30th in 5-on-5 shot-attempts percentage (44.9) last season, and tied for 30th in 5-on-5 save percentage (.901). They were 25th in penalty-kill percentage (75.1). But, again, injuries were a big reason, and now they're healthy and have added Provorov and Severson. Babcock wants to add structure and more puck possession, and he wants goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom in each meeting for defensive-zone coverage and the penalty kill. That should help goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who went 7-18-2 with a 4.23 goals-against average and an .876 save percentage last season. "Suddenly, he's a way better goalie because he knows where [the shots are] coming from," Babcock says. "Then the other thing that happens to him is confidence. "Confidence and mental health, they're not the same thing. But once your confidence is shaken, how are you feeling? So now, how do you get your confidence back? It's interesting. When you look at the teams that play with good structure in their own zone, how come their goalie's save percentage is where it's at?" The Boston Bruins, who set NHL records for wins (65) and points (135) last season, led the NHL in 5-on-5 save percentage (.939). Linus Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy, voted as the NHL's best goalie, after going 40-6-1 with a 1.89 GAA and .938 save percentage. The Vegas Golden Knights, who won the Stanley Cup, had a 5-on-5 save percentage of .940 in the playoffs. Adin Hill, their third- or fourth-string goalie at the time, depending on how you look at it, played 16 games (14 starts) and went 11-4 with a 2.17 GAA and a .932 save percentage. "Know where the shots are coming from," Babcock says. "There's a reason guys go someplace and suddenly they're a way better goalie. That's just the way it is. I think that in itself gives us all hope." Having Werenski back does too. The 26-year-old played 13 games last season before having shoulder surgery. He has trained hard with the goal of being among the best defensemen in the NHL. "You can't be one of the best guys if your engine doesn't allow you to," Babcock says. "You can have all the skill in the world, but your engine's got to allow you to. He's put in the work to have the engine ready to go. And so, to me, he now has to be a driver, a leader. … He's at that age too. It's time, and he knows it." The Blue Jackets ranked 30th in goals per game (2.60) and 26th in power play percentage (18.3) last season. But they have weapons, starting with Gaudreau, who shocked the hockey world by signing with Columbus as a free agent before last season, and led the Blue Jackets with 74 points (21 goals, 53 assists). He had 115 points (40 goals, 75 assists) with the Calgary Flames in 2021-22 playing for a structured coach in Darryl Sutter. Not bad for 5-foot-9, 165 pounds. "He's freak of nature at that size to be as good as he's been, and he's competitive on the ice," Babcock says. "He knows how to play. He's a one-man entry machine on the power play. He can flat-out find you. And he wants to be good. He's not going to have any trouble." Laine had 52 points (22 goals, 30 assists) in 55 games last season. His NHL career high is 70 points (44 goals, 26 assists) in 82 games with the Winnipeg Jets in 2017-18, his second season in the League. A big question entering camp is whether Laine will move to center from the wing, but it might be moot. Babcock says he wants two 200-foot players on each line. Ideally, he'd like a right- and a left-handed face-off guy on each line. When he coached Canada in the Olympics and the World Cup of Hockey, he had eight centers on four lines, because they were the best players. When he coached the Red Wings, Datsyuk wanted to play with a center like Zetterberg or Valtteri Filppula so they could create offensively and be responsible defensively. Laine was the No. 2 pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and is a right-handed shot. Fantilli shoots left. "It would be really good for me -- really good for me -- if Laine and Fantilli could play together," Babcock says. "That would be really good for me. Two, big talented guys, high picks that can push each other. Right-, left-hand shots. "I don't know if that's going to work. I have no idea. But the idea is that. And because we have so many guys who have played in the middle … Great. I love it. I want two on every line, so it works out perfect. It's an easy, easy thing." How Babcock handles Fantilli is going to be fascinating. Matthews won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's rookie of the year in 2016-17 with 69 points (40 goals, 29 assists) in 82 games, and Babcock helped develop him into a two-way player by showing him video of centers like Datsyuk and Zetterberg. Babcock coached center Patrice Bergeron on four gold-medal teams (2004, 2010, 2014 and 2016). Bergeron set an NHL record by winning the Selke Trophy as the NHL's best defensive forward six times with the Bruins before he announced his retirement July 25. Fantilli told Babcock that Bergeron is his favorite player. "That was a home run for me, because if you're thinking like that, you like the things he did," Babcock says. "[Bergeron is] as good a two-way player as there ever was. So guess what I got? Bergeron clips coming out the wazoo. Why wouldn't you?" It won't necessarily be easy, though. Fantilli led NCAA men's hockey with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games as a freshman at the University of Michigan last season and won the Hobey Baker Award as the top player, but he didn't have to face McDavid or Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon or Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby. "You've had the puck your whole career," Babcock says. "Why? You're better than everybody else. But now some nights they're putting this guy out against you called McDavid or MacKinnon or Crosby, and you know what they're going do to you? They're not going to let you have the puck. They're just going to take it personal. They'll show you who's boss here." How will Babcock start off with Fantilli? "I'm going to put him on a line, and I'm going to watch him," Babcock says. "I'm going to watch him in training camp, and I'm going to do everything I can to set him up for success. This kid is ultracompetitive -- like, ultracompetitive -- so I don't have any concerns about that part at all. "Now, some nights in the National Hockey League, you get your lunch fed to you, even when you're a good player. But if you're fortunate to have confidence, just breathe. You come back the next day." Babcock brings up Steve Yzerman, who played his final NHL season for Babcock with the Red Wings in 2005-06 and worked with him as an executive with the Red Wings from 2006-09 and as the general manger of Canada in 2010 and 2014. "He'd say to me, 'All you got to do in this game is get ready for one shift. Take a deep breath, go for one shift, come back, take a drink of water, take a deep breath. If you have one bad shift, you can stop it right now. Get it fixed,'" Babcock says. "Well, that's the process for this guy, is we've just got to keep helping him, keep helping him, keep helping him." * * * * * Werenski notices something when he sees Babcock at the rink. "He's full of energy," Werenski says. "I think that goes a long way throughout a long season, in the cold months, when games might not be as exciting, when you still have half the season left. … I have appreciated that part so far, just the energy he comes to the rink with." Babcock is full of energy even when relaxing at what he calls his "tiki bar" on the lake down the hill from his house, wearing flip-flips, shorts and a Blue Jackets hoodie. The 60-year-old who promised his wife he'd retire at 60 will talk hockey for hours when he could be doing anything else. He makes no promises or predictions. He gives no timelines for turning around the Blue Jackets. But he's back in the NHL, he has a new challenge and he's as fired up as always. "We're going to be ultra-prepared, ultra-organized, and we are coming to work, so if it doesn't go our way on the scoreboard when we walk out of the rink each night, we're going to be proud," Babcock says. "And that's everybody, and it's going to be led by Werenski and Gaudreau and Laine, and they're going to do it right. We know Jenner's doing it right. The big boys are pulling, we've discussed that, and that's going to be our approach. "And then we'll see what happens."

Yep, another insane contract handed out...

Sanderson signs 8-year, $64.4 million contract with Senators Defenseman had 32 points as rookie last season; deal begins in 2024-25 Jake Sanderson signed an eight-year, $64.4 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. The contract, which has an average annual value of $8.05 million, will begin next season. The 21-year-old defenseman had 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) in 77 games last season and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Sanderson was selected by Ottawa with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 NHL Draft. Sanderson joins forwards Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk, and defenseman Thomas Chabot as those committed to the Senators at least through the 2027-28 season. His contract includes a 10-team no-trade clause, which will be applicable to the final three seasons. “Jake’s transition to the pro game has been flawless,” Ottawa general manager Pierre Dorion said. “He’s a very mature young man who demonstrates a routine and skillful ability to play important minutes with poise. An effortless skater who holds himself to a high standard, he has the talent to be one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL for years to come. “We’re very pleased to have another significant member of our core group of players under long-term contract.” Sanderson’s 28 assists and 32 points last season each ranked third in Senators history by a rookie defenseman, behind only Andrej Meszaros (29 assists, 39 points in 2005-06) and Karel Rachunek (30 assists, 33 points in 2000-01). He was also second among all rookies in total time on ice (1,687:52), average time on ice (21:55), power-play assists (15) and power-play points (17), fourth in assists and fifth in shots on goal (132).

David Quinn was just on NHL radio an hr ago, and even he stated that while he projected the offense to be a strenth, they were really going to have to tighten up netminding and play solid in front in order to have a playoff shot...

How much could the Blue Jackets improve this season? It’s no secret that the Blue Jackets had a bad season due to injuries and players not playing to their abilities, but will a healthy roster and players performing well push the team into the playoffs? JASON NEWLAND 1 HOUR AGO23 edition of the Columbus Blue Jackets saw them ice 46 different skaters and six goalies, that’s not a recipe for success. In fact, it was so bad at one point, the team would’ve been disallowed from competing in an exhibition game per NHL rules. The Blue Jackets lost 545 games due to injury, and yet somehow that wasn’t tops in the league. Jake Voracek only played in 11 games, Zach Werenski in 13, Justin Danforth in 6, Jake Bean in 14, and Daniil Tarasov in 17. Countless other players only played less than half the season, surely that will be better this season, right? According to @NHLInjuryViz on X, the CBJ lost 545-man games, second behind the Montreal Canadiens. The Cap hit of the injured players was also second at $25.84m. The average minutes of the injured players was 116:58, third in the league. There’s no way a team can have back-to-back bad luck injury years, right? Simply having a healthy roster could add many more points to the final standings, but how manyThe goalie situation in Columbus last season was not good. No Blue Jacket goalie had a winning record, the closest being Joonas Korpisalo who went 11-11-3. Korpisalo also led the team in GAA and save %. Korpisalo was later traded to the Los Angeles Kings and then signed with the Ottawa Senators in the off-season. Daniil Tarasov was supposed to play last season in Cleveland and get in approximately 55-60 games. But with injuries to Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo, he was forced to play in Columbus and only played in 28 total games between Columbus and Cleveland. This next season, the goalie tandem will be Merzlikins and Tarasov unless something bad happens. Tarasov will need waivers to go down to Cleveland and it’s doubtful Jarmo chances him being claimed. PTO signing Aaron Dell very well could be the third goalie in the organization, being that guy who comes up and plays in case there is a need. Surely there’s no way the goalies play as badly as they did last season, right? Good goalie play could add at least another 10 wins. But they must play well for that to happen, this is no secret. The CBJ front office revamped the blue line when they went out and got Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson. That, coupled with the fact that Zach Werenski, Jake Bean and Adam Boqvist are all coming back healthy should be a huge shot in the arm for the team. Werenski, Bean, and Boqvist are all very offensive-minded, and if the three play in all 82 games, we easily see 40 to 50 goals and 50 assists. Having the defense play like they’re expected to, while chipping in offensively could add another few wins as well. The Jackets had 59 points last season which led to an unintentional tank, resulting in the third pick, but this next season they will be expected to be much better. But can they be "make the playoffs" better? That would most likely require 40 to 45 more points in the standings. Is this possible with this roster? They Have Johnny Gaudreau, Patrik Laine, and Boone Jenner to pour in goals, with young players like Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, and Adam Fantilli to do the same. Bottom 6 scoring will be extra important if they want to move up in the standings and that includes guys like Eric Robinson, Jack Roslovic, Yegor Chinakhov, and Sean Kuraly needing to step up. Are the playoffs an option this season? With teams like the Flyers, Islanders, and Capitals all expected to be in the bottom 4 of the Metro, the Jackets could finish as high as 5th, maybe even 4th if the Penguins decide to take a step back. The difference between 3rd and 4th in the Metro last season was 14 points, with the difference between 4th and 5th being two points. Do they have enough as constructed to make it into the postseason? Written BY JASON NEWLAND Jason Newland is the Site Editor and Reporter for the Columbus Blue Jackets team site with The Hockey News. A resident of Columbus, Jason has spent 10 years writing about the Blue Jackets and in his spare time hangs with his son Trevor, plays softball, and watches all sports. You can follow him at @F1reTheCannon.