CAROLINA HURRICANES NEWS CLIPPINGS March 4, 2019 - NHL.com
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CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
DGB weekend power rankings: Sorting through the trade deadline fallout
By Sean McIndoe after consulting with The Athletics’ analytics experts, it’s
been determined that that’s as bad as I can rank them. I
The trade deadline was last week. It feels like last month. thought about trying to slot them in somewhere like “zero” or
That’s the thing about the deadline. It’s such a hugely “negative three” or “let’s never speak of this again,” but
important milestone in the season that it almost manages to apparently those aren’t options. The Senators stay where
warp our sense of time around it. The weeks leading up to it they already were and the rest of the bottom five doesn’t see
seem to drag on forever. The day itself flies by in a blink. And all that much deadline-related movement either.
then it’s all over and it almost immediately feels like a lifetime And that’s it for the 2019 deadline. I promise, after today,
ago. Looks at us, watching Mark Stone play for the Ottawa there will be no more weekly power ranking columns framed
Senators. We were so young then. around it.
While you might be ready to move on past the deadline, the (But tune in next week for the 2020 trade deadline preview.)
weekend rankings can’t quite yet. That’s because last week,
we were still in pre-deadline mode and trying to figure out Road to the Cup
how different these rankings might look once the dealing is
done. We can’t just leave a question like that open. Let’s dig The five teams that look like they’re headed towards a
in and find out how much the deadline day changed the summer of keg stands and fountain pool parties.
rankings? We all had a chance to learn a new rule yesterday: You can
Uh, not all that much, actually. win a shootout without actually putting the puck into the net,
thanks to the ultra-rare shootout HORN OF DOOM:
That’s because the deadline saw something unusual this
year: The best teams didn’t actually do all that much. That win also moved the Capitals back into first place in the
Instead, most of the biggest moves were made by teams Metro, as the Islanders lost both weekend games and
closer to the mushy middle. continue to struggle when they’re not pantsing John Tavares
and the Maple Leafs. That leaves us without a Metro team in
That’s not the way it’s supposed to work. You’re supposed to our top five again, at least temporarily, while making room for
have your sellers, who are bad and trying to get worse. They a Central team to nudge back in. But which one? Let’s end
do that by selling off assets to the buyers, who are supposed the suspense …
to be the good teams searching for the final piece of a
Stanley Cup puzzle. 5. Winnipeg Jets (39-22-4, +28 true goals differential*) –
Should this be the Predators? Maybe. But the Jets are still
But this year, we didn’t really see that. In fact, last week’s top holding down a narrow lead in the Central and maybe more
five teams – the Islanders, Bruins, Sharks, Flames and than narrow if you factor in their games in hand. They beat
Lightning – didn’t do all that much in the days around the the Predators head-to-head on Friday. And they may have
deadline. The Bruins got Marcus Johansson and Charlie landed the bigger deadline day prize in Hayes, although
Coyle and the Sharks got Gustav Nyquist. But with apologies that’s a close call and probably hinges on whether you think
to Oscar Fantenberg and the Flames, that was about it in Simmonds has much left. It’s not much more than a coin flip,
terms of meaningful moves. The Islanders and Lightning really. But we don’t do ties here, so the Jets get the spot this
didn’t do anything at all. week.
In theory, that should open up the door for other teams to 4. Boston Bruins (39-17-9, +34) – Their win over Tampa
storm in and take those spots. But that didn’t really happen snapped the Lightning’s 10-game win streak and was the
either. The Golden Knights were the biggest winners of sort of statement game that suggests that the Atlantic may
deadline day itself thanks to the Stone blockbuster, but not be quite the sure thing it looks like. The Bruins are riding
they’re not catching the Sharks or Flames so their path out of a streak of 16 straight with at least a point, although they still
the Pacific remains brutal. And while the biggest trade haven’t opened up all that much of a lead over the Maple
deadline week moves were made by the Blue Jackets, Leafs for home ice in their almost inevitable first-round
they’re barely in the playoffs right now, let alone the top five. matchup. Maybe that comes this week; Boston gets a tough
After this weekend, if anything, it might be time to start matchup tomorrow with the Hurricanes, but then finishes off
worrying about them. the week with home games against the Panthers and
Senators.
The teams that could make a deadline-based claim at a spot
are two that have spent much of the season shifting in and 3. San Jose Sharks (39-19-8, +35) – The latest Erik Karlsson
out of the top five. The Jets landed Kevin Hayes and the update: The team expects him back “at some point”. That’s
Predators got Wayne Simmonds and Mikael Granlund. … encouraging, I guess?
Spoiler alert: One of them does crack the top five this week
but we’ll get to that in a minute. Meanwhile, there’s been no reports of progress in Karlsson
re-signing in San Jose, and it no longer seems like a sure
As for the sellers, the big one was the Senators. But they’ve thing – and if not, you wonder how much sense it makes for
already been owning the No. 1 spot in the bottom five, and him to keep trying to play through a lingering groin problem.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
There’s also a Joe Pavelski deal to get done, not to mention Dom Luszczyszyn broke down how the Hurricanes have
Joe Thornton if he’s coming back and maybe Nyquist too. turned things around if you’re into the details. But the point is
Obviously, the Sharks have more important things to worry the Hurricanes are rolling, and if they can hold their ground
about right now, but if you’re a fan of one of the teams whose they’re going to be everyone’s sneaky pick to win the Metro.
season is already over and are looking ahead to the
offseason, San Jose’s situation is worth following. That’s still a bit of a big “if” because the Hurricanes are only
one point up on Penguins and three up on the Blue Jackets.
2. Calgary Flames (41-17-7, +50) – First things first: They’d need both teams to pass them to miss the playoffs,
Saturday’s number retirement for Jarome Iginla was great, a and even then they could still hold off the Habs, so they’re
fitting tribute to a Flames legend and one of the few players not in a bad spot. But the point is that they’re two-month hot
in the league that just about everyone seemed to like. streak has only been enough to get them to where they need
Jarome Iginla ruled. another strong month or so to feel safe. They’re no sure
thing.
Not ruling, at least on Saturday, was Mike Smith. His
embarrassing gaffe behind the net led directly to one Wild But they’re good. And yes, we’ve been here before. We did
goal and had his own fans turning on him. the whole big dramatic “not yet but soon” act for Carolina all
the way back in October. And then we didn’t think twice
We’re not going to panic and start dropping teams down the about them for about four months unless they were playing
list based on one game; the Flames had won seven straight, pretend baseball. I know. But this time might be different.
so they were due for a clunker eventually. But the concerns
over Smith and Calgary’s goaltending, in general, aren’t just Right now, they’re one of only four teams in the league who
a one-game phenomenon. It’s been the Flames’ one weak haven’t shown up in either the top or bottom five all season
point pretty much all season long. Smith is the veteran, but long. The other three are the Habs, Blue Jackets and Stars,
he hasn’t been very good. David Rittich has been better, but and it’s hard to imagine any of them making a strong case at
he’s never seen the ice in a playoff game. Who do you trust? either end before the season runs out. The Hurricanes still
might.
There was some talk that the Flames might address the
issue at the deadline, but they didn’t. It’s hard to blame them, Please, nobody tell them I said that because I don’t want to
since midseason goaltending trades are rare and there really deal with their celebration.
wasn’t anyone available who was clearly an upgrade over
what they have. Still, every now and then you see the The bottom five
Flames have a game like they did on Saturday and you think The five teams that look like they’re headed towards hoping
“oh, right, this could be how things go very badly in the the ping-pong balls deliver Jack Hughes.
playoffs.”
Now that the deadline is done and we’re well and truly into
1. Tampa Bay Lightning (50-12-4, +79) – They got their 50th the time of year when the bad teams have nothing to play for
win on Saturday, tying the 1995-96 Red Wings for the fewest and start shutting down anyone with a pulse and sleep-
games needed to hit that mark. Sure, it’s the shootout era, so walking through the final weeks, here’s your annual
wins are easier to come by. But it’s also the cap era, when reminder: There is a way better method for determining draft
it’s not supposed to be possible to load up to create super- order that could make these late-season games meaningful
teams. What the Lightning are doing is pretty amazing and and turn the race for the first overall pick into something
they’ve got a real shot at the all-time wins record of 62. almost as exciting as the playoff push, and maybe more. It’s
The good news, at least if you’re a fan of one of the other 30 not my idea, but I’ve been banging the drum for years, and
teams: Those 1995-96 Red Wings didn’t win the Cup that you can read about it here. Fair warning, though – once you
year, although they did win the next two. Maybe somebody hear the idea, you’ll spend the rest of your life feeling
else will get a chance at some point soon. Maybe. vaguely annoyed at the NHL for not doing it.
*Goals differential without counting shootout decisions like 5. New Jersey Devils (25-33-8, -35) – Taylor Hall is done for
the NHL does for some reason. four weeks and probably the season. At this point, there’s no
reason to rush him back, and the team should focus on
Not ranked: Carolina Hurricanes – But we all agree they’re what’s really important: Making sure he’s healthy and ready
back in the conversation, right? to go for draft lottery day.
Carolina has won five straight, eight of nine and 21 of 28. 4. Detroit Red Wings (23-33-9, -41) – The hockey world has
That last one dates back to New Year’s Eve, so we’re not lost a legend with the passing of Ted Lindsay. The Hall-of-
dealing with some short-term streak here. They’re good now. Famer was one of the greatest Red Wings of all-time,
winning four Stanley Cups and earning first-team all-star
And yes, of course, they were good all along. For years, the honors eight times as part of the immortal Production Line
Hurricanes have been the team that all the smart people with Sid Abel and Gordie Howe. But his impact may have
swore were good even though they never won all that much. been even bigger off the ice, where his efforts to launch a
But someday, we were told. Someday, the percentages will player’ association changed the sports in ways that are still
even out and the puck will start going in and they’ll finally get being felt today. Lindsay was 93.
some goaltending and then they’ll be really good and also
Evander Holyfield will be involved somehow. I’m not 3. Los Angeles Kings (24-33-8, -48) – They finally won a
completely sure about that last part but I think one of the game! They might as well, given they’d lost ten straight
stats guys mentioned it at some point.
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
without gaining any ground at all on the Senators in the race At least they finished the week off by finally winning a game,
for last place. May as well mix up the strategy. thanks to yesterday’s road win in Florida. What will this week
bring? The mind boggles.
2. Anaheim Ducks (25-32-9, -60) – That John Gibson Vezina
coronation doesn’t seem like a sure thing anymore, does it? Not ranked: Vancouver Canucks – After a tough weekend
Between missing time with injury and just not being all that that featured regulation losses to the Coyotes and Golden
good since the new year, the race is open again. And that’s Knights, it feels like we can finally wave the white towel on
especially true when you remember that the GMs who vote the Canucks playoff push. They’re down to under a 3 percent
on the award still seem to think wins are an important metric chance from the sites that measure that sort of thing,
for goaltending performance, and the Ducks don’t figure to including this one. It’s not going to happen. And if you’re a
get too many more between now and the end of the season. Canucks fan, that stings, even if you probably knew this is
Hope you didn’t throw out those acceptance speech notes, where things were headed for weeks now. It’s over.
Marc-Andre Fleury.
But still, that was a pretty impressive run from a team that
1. Ottawa Senators (23-38-5, -51) – Since our last ranking, just about everyone figured was going to be awful this year.
the Senators fired their head coach a day after their GM said Elias Petterson was all sorts of fun, Bo Horvat took another
that they wouldn’t, and it was only the third worst thing that step forward, Brock Boeser still mostly looks like the real
happened them that week. deal and Jake Virtanen taught us that beer makes everything
more fun. That’s more than most of us expected.
The bigger stories were the deadline selloff and the collapse
of the LeBreton Flats arena deal, maybe for good. But the Will Vancouver fans look back and wish they’d lost a few
Guy Boucher firing still seemed to strike a chord with what’s more games and earned a better draft slot? We won’t know
left of the Senators fanbase. Not because it was a surprise – until the lottery, but yeah, probably. That’s just how hockey
just about everyone seemed to know that Boucher wouldn’t fans have been trained to think about seasons that don’t end
be back next year. But it was yet another story that suggests in a playoff spot. But there’s value in playing semi-
that this team can’t figure out what it wants to be when it meaningful hockey in the second half and the Canucks got to
grows up. Pierre Dorion said Boucher was safe until the end do that. Exceeding expectations can be a bad thing when it’s
of the year, then fired him. The team traded away most of based on unsustainable luck and gives an organization false
their top players as part of their rebuild, then seems confidence to change course. That doesn’t seem to be the
surprised when the shell of a roster left behind keeps losing. case here, so go ahead and enjoy it.
Even that press release that read like a job posting was
weird, especially since it seemed like a way to kick Boucher It was a good run. The future seems bright. The season
on his way out the door. won’t include a playoff appearance, but it still feels like
progress.
Evander Holyfield guest stars in Carolina Hurricanes' latest postgame celebration
Mike Brehm The Hurricanes began Friday's celebration with their
traditional Viking clap, then the lights went out and Holyfield
The Carolina Hurricanes' postgame celebrations are getting came onto the ice wearing a Carolina jersey with the number
such notice that they now are attracting guest stars. 4X signifying his four heavyweight titles.
Legendary boxer Evander Holyfield stepped onto the ice His opponent was Jordan Martinook, who had fought
after Friday night's game to help the Hurricanes celebrate Colorado Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon earlier this
their 5-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues. season and was wearing boxing gloves. The sparring didn't
The team's choreographed celebrations, which began this last long as Martinook wisely took a dive on the first punch.
season and have featured a bowling game, a game of Duck, Carolina Hurricanes left wing Jordan Martinook (48) is
Duck, Goose and a limbo line, have thrilled Hurricanes knocked out by Evander Holyfield during their celebration
fans but also have upset hockey purists such as Don Cherry. after beating the St. Louis Blues. (Photo: James Guillory,
The Hurricanes, though, had the perfect response in their USA TODAY Sports)
last game to the Hockey Night in Canada studio analyst Martinook continued to play the part, though, staying down
calling the team a "bunch of jerks." as he was dragged off the ice.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
"That was pretty cool," Martinook said in the locker room "If you outwork that guy and minimize your mistakes, it's
after the game. impossible for you to lose," Holyfield told the players.
Coach Rod Brind'Amour had brought Holyfield into the locker Carolina did that to beat the Blues, who had been on a 13-1-
room before the game to say hi to players. He chose to 1 run. The Hurricanes improved to 13-3-1 in their last 17
deliver a pep talk, too. games.
About Last Night: Mrazek Magic Powers Hurricanes Past Panthers in OT
The goalie steals one point in regulation, then another in OT produced this year. Never has that been more on display
as the Canes roll on. than on Saturday night. Yes, there was one goal he wished
he had back. But there were more than a half dozen
By Andy House impeccable saves that gave his team a chance to win time
When the Carolina Hurricanes complete this season, no and again. That is the mark of a quality goaltender.
matter the outcome there will be certain games that players The Bad - Heavy Legs
and fans look back upon as turning points or touchstones.
Saturday night will undoubtedly be one of those games. Despite opening with a quick burst of two goals in just over
two minutes against a netminder making his NHL debut, the
A game that featured a quick start for Carolina, settled into Canes attack was pretty much a counter attack the entire
an uninspiring first two periods, only to be rescued by heroics night. The Canes defense spent a lot of time removing the
in net from Petr Mrazek. puck from the Carolina zone as the Panthers talented
The Great - Mrazek Says No forwards buzzed around Mrazek for much of the night.
Obviously, at this juncture in the season, being the team
On a night in which a tired team playing a back-to-back in finishing a back-to-back on the road against a home team
front of him did less than their part to win a hockey game, with fresh legs is a serious factor. But nevertheless, the
Mrazek stood tall after allowing a questionable short-side Canes were simply outplayed for the better part of basically
goal to open the Panthers scoring in the first period. A rested all three periods and overtime.
Panthers team clearly had the fresher legs as the night wore
on, but Mrazek made every save he needed to give his The sequence that led to the Panthers’ only lead of the night
mates a chance to hang in. His aggressiveness in net is was perhaps the most emblematic of the action on Saturday,
clearly a result of the great confidence that both he and his as Florida pushed the puck deep into the Carolina zone,
netminding mate Curtis McElhinney are each playing with. where Jamie McGinn forced Trevor van Riemsdyk off the
He consistently challenges shooters, which led to save such puck and fed Henrik Borgstrom in front to put the Panthers
as his stick save on Jamie McGinn in the second period of a on top.
tied game, as well as his stoning of Evgenii Dadonov on a Obviously, this is not the type of game that the Canes want
breakaway midway through the third period. to play in the long run. That is the message Rod Brind’Amour
Mrazek saved his true heroics for overtime however, as he was sending his team throughout, and the players likely
unleashed a series of saves that snatched victory from the recognize this as well. Despite that, the overriding takeaway
jaws of defeat. First, he denied a clean chance from Vincent is that a team without its legs and without its best game went
Trochek just seconds into OT. Then, a Mike Matheson on the road and clawed away two points from a desperate
breakaway was broken up with the noted aggressiveness team.
from Mrazek, as he executed a sprawling poke check to The Finish
perfection, only to have a Canes turnover lead to another
breakaway from Jonathan Huberdeau that was denied. The Canes found themselves trailing for the first time in the
third period, but less than three minutes after the Borgstrom
It was a sequence unlike any other from a Canes goalie in goal, the Canes received some offense in front of the net
recent memory. As Nino Neiderreiter and Sebastian Aho put from an unlikely source. A deflected shot pass from Jordan
the finishing touches on an improbable victory on the other Staal ended up in the hand of a net-charging Brett Pesce.
end, Mrazek showed the type of emotion that comes from Pesce flashed some skill as he slapped the puck down and
executing a near out-of-body experience in net at a most lifted a backhand past Samuel Montembeault in net to even
crucial time. the score again.
It has been said for much of the season that the stat line for The timing for the offense from Pesce could not have been
Mrazek didn’t necessarily reflect the type of play that he has better, but it underscores what the Canes have been doingCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
for more than two months running. They continue to get what The Canes garnered a much needed two points on the road.
they need, when they need it. The same could be said for the It was a productive day in the standings as the Blue Jackets
game-winning goal in OT. While Niederreiter and Aho are faltered at home, and the Penguins downed the Canadiens
certainly known entities in terms of offensive production, the in regulation. But there is no time for a let up in the hyper-
Canes skaters did not even touch the puck in OT until 1:23 competitive Eastern Conference playoff race. The Canes
had passed in three-on-three action. But once the Canes got now sit just three points away from the summit of the
their chance, the tandem converted on the two-on-one. Metropolitan Division standings, but also potentially three
Seizing the opportunity, no matter how lopsided the points ahead of missing the playoffs entirely. Every game in
opportunities are in the other teams favor, is a great calling the final 17 will be crucial, so there is no time to celebrate too
card for a team. The Canes continue to suggest that it is much. The Canes will be back at it with a tough matchup in
something that they possess. Boston on Tuesday night.
Moral of the Story
Carolina Hurricanes host 8th annual Alumni Game
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- The Carolina Hurricanes hosted their
8th annual Alumni Game on Sunday afternoon. "The impact in my life was something special. It was a big
tragedy that happened for myself," Bickell said. "Carolina,
Canes alumni players, along with 24 people who paid an they supported me in many different ways, and I have to
entry fee to participate, split up into two teams to experience support and come to this every year if they keep on giving
an NHL-like game at PNC Arena. me the call."
All proceeds from the event went straight to the Carolina
Hurricanes Foundation. "It's about the only time that you just kind of can think about
something else...and now we're right back figuring out how to
win coming up on Tuesday," Brind'Amour said. "At the end of
For the game, Rod Brind'Amour turned in his suit coat for a the day it's a good cause. We are raising some money and
jersey. we're having fun."
"I don't get to be around the guys I played with very often in a The event was free with an option to donate cash to the
real relaxed setting," he said. "Back in the day, we played Carolina Hurricanes Foundation.
together and it was intense. This was all fun and I enjoyed
it." During the second intermission, fans had a chance to chuck
a puck onto the ice. The fan whose puck landed on or
Former Hurricane Bryan Bickell didn't spend much time with closest to the center ice dot won an autographed jersey
the Canes before being forced to retire due to multiple signed by the 2018-19 Hurricanes, tickets to the game on
sclerosis in 2017. The impact Carolina had on his life is why Thursday, March 21, and a post game meet and greet.
he said he plays in the Alumni Game.
TODAY’S LINKS
https://theathletic.com/848602/2019/03/04/dgb-weekend-power-rankings-sorting-through-the-trade-deadline-fallout/
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nhl/hurricanes/2019/03/01/evander-holyfield-carolina-hurricanes-postgame-celebration/3036868002/
https://www.canescountry.com/2019/3/3/18248578/carolina-hurricanes-game-analysis-petr-mrazek-florida-panthers-sebastian-aho-nhl-playoffs
https://abc11.com/sports/hurricanes-host-8th-annual-alumni-game/5165542/CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
1134249 Carolina Hurricanes
By Kevin Paul Dupont
Hurricanes Survive Panthers – Aho Nets OT Winner
The NHL’s 2018-19 regular season, particularly for the Bruins, is now in
freefall. The red-hot Black and Gold (12-0-4 in their last 16) face the
BY THE CANADIAN PRESS MARCH 3RD, 2019 confident, resurgent Hurricanes on Tuesday night at TD Garden in what
starts a finishing string of 17 games in 33 days.
SUNRISE, Fla. — Sebastian Aho scored at 1:46 of overtime and the That’s a torrid five-week run at the standard playoff clip of a game every
Carolina Hurricanes beat the Florida Panthers 4-3 on Saturday night for other night. How they come out of it all ultimately could determine
their fifth straight win. whether they enter the Cup run on April 10 as a fine-tuned machine or a
tired, chewed-up lot.
Aho tipped in the puck from the edge of the crease for his team-leading
27th goal. With all that in mind, here are 17 points of interest as the regular-season
clock winds down:
Carolina Hurricanes' Brock McGinn Jordan Martinook Andrei Svechnikov
1. Tuukka Rask, now with the most regular-season wins (260) in
Brett Pesce, Greg McKegg and Brock McGinn also scored for the franchise history, picked up his third shutout of the season with
Hurricanes. Peter Mrazek stopped 31 shots, including three breakaways Saturday’s 1-0 blanking of the Devils. He is 14-0-3 since his last
in overtime. regulation “L” on Dec. 23 and, at 22-8-5, stands a reasonable chance of
reaching the 30-win plateau for a sixth straight season.
Henrik Borgstrom had two goals and an assist, and Mark Pysyk also
scored for the Panthers. Sam Montembeault made 22 saves in his NHL Of the seven other NHL goalies to enter this season with 150 wins or
debut. more since the start of Rask’s bounty in 2013-14, none began on a run of
five seasons with 30 or more W’s. The closest: Braden Holtby, Pekka
The Panthers played their third consecutive overtime game, and they’ve
Rinne, and Devan Dubnyk (all four each). Henrik Lundqvist began his
lost each one — with the first two going to a shootout.
Ranger career with a stretch of seven 30-win seasons, but his string of
Borgstrom broke a 2-2 tie with his second goal. Jamie McGinn passed four more was snapped last year.
from behind the net out to Borgstrom in front. Borgstrom fired a shot past
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Mrazek at 5:32 of the third.
With 17 games left and only a pair of back-to-backers, coach Bruce
Pesce tied it 3-all when he backhanded a loose puck from in front into the
Cassidy likely will go with Rask in upward of a dozen starts, if not more.
net at 8:19.
The main goal down the stretch again will be clinching home ice for what
The Hurricanes got to Montembeault early, scoring two goals on the first now looks like the inevitable first-round rematch with the Leafs.
three shots.
The Bruins hold a 3-point lead over the sons of King Clancy. Cassidy is
McGinn put the Hurricanes ahead 1-0 after he stole the puck away from poised to feed Rask a steady diet of starts, perhaps three of every four,
defenceman Keith Yandle and fired a shot past Montembeault 1:26 in. until the seeding is settled. That might not be until the final regular-
season game here on April 6, a 1 p.m. Saturday faceoff against the Bolts.
McKegg made the score 2-0 when his shot from in front beat the young
goalie on the stick side at 2:05. 2. What of David Pastrnak? The club’s top gunner has been hors de
combat for three weeks following surgery to repair a thumb tendon.
Borgstrom’s shot from the left circle went high into the net at 5:01 to
close the score to 2-1. The good news: They have gone 8-0-1 without him, outscoring the
opposition by a robust 32-16.
Pysyk got the puck off the faceoff and wristed a shot past Mrazek with
8:10 left in the first to tie the score at 2. The goal was Pysyk’s first of the Pastrnak won’t be seen in the lineup anytime soon, and the club’s recent
season. run allows Cassidy not to rush the talented right winger. Keep the March
21 (New Jersey) and March 23 (Florida) games in mind as loose target
NOTES: Montembeault, 22, was recalled from AHL Springfield Feb. 27 dates for the Pasta redux.
on an emergency basis. … Hurricanes D Calvin de Haan missed his
second game with an upper-body injury. The bet here three weeks ago was that the Bruins would win their share
of games with Pastrnak on the sideline. But the equal bet, even before
LOADED: 03.04.2019 they acquired Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson, was that they won’t
make it to Round 2 without Pastrnak back in the lineup. No change in
that thinking, no matter how they’ve flourished without him. He’s a
1134238 Boston Bruins difference-maker, and he’ll need at least 5-8 games to try to re-establish
his groove.
3. Torey Krug is overdue some props. He was held off the scoresheet
Counting down: What to look for in Bruins’ final 17 games Saturday night for only the fifth time in the last 19 games (2-15—17).CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
Time to drop the “yeah, but” qualifier around his overall game. As of could have declared free agency in the summer of 2021 and picked his
Sunday morning, only nine NHL D-men had more than his 46 points. His franchise, or perhaps forced a trade to get to the NHL in the fall of 2020.
40 helpers ranked No. 7 among the league-wide pack. Now he’s stuck in Ottawa for what looks like a forever rebuild.
Yeah, OK, he’s small, and he’s going to lose many of his heavier 11. Cassidy has to win 11 of the final 17 to become only the second
defensive-zone battles in 5-on-5 situations. But he is also a dynamic Boston coach to post back-to-back 50-win seasons. Tom Johnson did it
force with the puck, a greater and more mobile presence under Cassidy with his swashbuckling Orr-era bunch, with a total 111 wins (1970-1972).
than he was under Claude Julien. The sons of Butch’s went 50-20-12 last season, his first full year behind
the bench.
No question, Charlie McAvoy should grow into the resident No. 1 role
back there the next 2-4 years. For now though, Krug is the guy who 12. Cassidy, with 87 points (39-17-9), is all but assured a second
makes the offensive mojo go back there. He is as vital to the back end as consecutive 100-point season, something not done here since 2010-12.
Pastrnak is to the front end. Claude Julien had four 100-point seasons in his tenure with the Spoked-
B.
4. Don’t bet on a game off here or there down the stretch for captain
Zdeno Chara, at least not with home ice still in question. 13. Lots of pearl-clutching and eye-rolling here in May 2016 when
general manager Don Sweeney, one year on the job, signed Kevan Miller
The Trencin Tower of Power already has been dialed down to an to his current four-year, $10 million pact. It’s now looking like one of
average 21:00 TOI, third on the club (behind McAvoy and Krug), Sweeney’s wisest lockdowns. Miller, currently out with a minor injury,
approaching a 20 percent reduction from the 25:26 he logged in the guarantees third-paring stability and back-end toughness. Keep the
2010-11 Cup season. pearls handy. He’s up for a deal after next season and easily could justify
His standard response: “I want to play.” a bump to $4 million a year.
Cassidy’s answer: “Get out there.” 14. Three of Boston’s remaining 17 games will be against the re-
engineered Blue Jackets (March 12, 16, and April 2). Note to schedule
Injury factor aside, maybe he gets a day off once the seeding is settled. maker: If you’re looking for a threepeat down the stretch next season,
Maybe. maybe consider an opponent at least in the same division? Not a single
matchup vs. the Leafs or Habs in the final 17.
5. Newcomers Coyle and Johansson have yet to deliver much on the
scoresheet, but it’s a process, folks. The same can be said for the higher- 15. Steve Kampfer hasn’t played for the Bruins since their 5-3 loss to the
profile Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel for the Blue Jackets, now 1-2-0 Hurricanes on Dec. 23. He may not play again for the remainder of the
since adding those guys from Ottawa. regular season. All to be part of the backstory when he pots the OT
winner in Game 4 against the Leafs in Round 1. Final line: 1-1—2 and a
Coyle and Johansson are both smart pickups. Once Pastrnak is back,
five-minute fighting major for a rousing scrap with Zach Hyman. Book it.
Danton Heinen presumably drops down from the first line, which then will
alter the structure around both David Krejci and Coyle on lines 2-3. Let’s 16. The clocks will have been wheeled an hour ahead next Sunday night
wait for that skate to drop before making a full assessment. when the Bruins face the Penguins in Pittsburgh. Only clinging to a wild-
card berth, even with one of the game’s top three talents Sidney Crosby,
6. Jake DeBrusk is finally back playing with the pluck we saw emerge
GM Jim Rutherford (the Whaler boss who once acquired Glen Wesley
against the Leafs in Round 1 last year. His assist on Brad Marchand’s
from the Bruins), did not make his anticipated blockbuster deal at the
lone goal bumped his line to 7-6—13 the last nine games. He needed
trade deadline. Which is to say Phil Kessel remains in residence.
until Dec. 27 this season to reach his first 13 points (including 10 goals).
He made a superb play on Marchand’s goal, batting down the puck at 17. First guy through the gate Tuesday night sporting an Ulf Samuelsson
waist level to set up Patrice Bergeron’s sick dish across the crease for Whaler sweater (vintage 1984-91) might want to know that B’s president
Marchand to convert for No. 27. Cam Neely sees all from the ninth floor, six floors above ice level. Your
running start might come in handy. The Mass General ER is no more
7. Sean Kuraly’s working his way back from a concussion suffered
than three blocks to the southwest.
Thursday against Tampa Bay. The fourth line isn’t nearly the same
without him on left wing. Cassidy spotted Joakim Nordstrom over there
vs. the Devils, but he doesn’t have King Kong Kuraly’s size or strength.
The Kuraly-Noel Acciari-Chris Wagner combo is the club’s “value meal” Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2019
this season.
8. No one is having more fun that the ’Canes right now, led by devilishly 1134239 Boston Bruins
slick Sebastian Aho (27-46—73). They’re 8-2-0 their last 10 and sit 5
points out of the top spot in the Metro Division. They’ll be wearing their
heritage Whaler unis here on Causeway Street, and not even the Whaler
fan club, still keeping candles lit in Hartford, saw this coming. Providence Bruins notebook: Stempniak working his way up
9. The ’Canes have the NHL’s lowest payroll — approximately $63.3m,
per capfriendly.com — and they held on to UFA-to-be Micheal Ferland at By MARISA INGEMI
the deadline. Lots of clubs, including the Bruins, were poking around to
see if they could spring the ex-Flames left winger. He’s strong, durable, March 3, 2019 at 9:00 PM
and possibly will decide to stick around with things on the upswing in
Cane country.
PROVIDENCE — He’s been on the ice all season, but getting into games
10. Florida (Thursday) and Ottawa (Saturday) are the next guests on
was a long time coming for Lee Stempniak.
Causeway. Both ostensibly have been eliminated from playoff contention,
with the gutted Senators all but assured the best odds of holding the No. The NHL veteran has been a part of almost everything imaginable at the
1 pick in the June draft . . . except the pick belongs to Colorado, for the NHL level, yet this season has been a new challenge for him. He signed
prior deal that sent Duchene to the Senators. a professional tryout agreement with the Bruins in the preseason, and
ended up skating with the team at practice all season.
Ex-Boston University standout Brady Tkachuk, who left Comm. Ave. after
one year to join the Sens, must be wishing he’d remained a Terrier. He It wasn’t until mid-February he finally got into games, at the AHL level.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
After signing prior to the trade deadline, he’s with the organization to the tail-end of a power play, came on a wrister from the high slot to give
stay, at least for now. The next mission is Boston, but that starts with the P-Bruins an initial lead.
taking it day by day with the challenges in Providence.
The second was a snipe right off the faceoff from a similar spot on the
“I haven’t played games in a long time,” said Stempniak. “Practicing, no other end of the ice.
matter what, isn’t replicating games. Just more getting used to the timing
of game situations. For me that’s making reads on plays and trusting
your instincts, getting timing down in game situations.” Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2019
Stempniak’s goal is to play in Boston after signing in the fall, and while
the B’s have faced several trials with injuries, his name was never called
while they opted for young players. 1134240 Boston Bruins
The additions of Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson at the trade
deadline likely made his chances of playing at TD Garden this season a
Yes, these Bruins can win the Cup
bit slimmer, but Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy hasn’t ruled it out,
either.
That’s enough for Stempniak to keep his focus on getting back to the By TOM KEEGAN
highest level.
March 3, 2019 at 8:00 PM
“It’s a strange year in the sense it’s uncharted territory for me,” he said. “I
was able to be in the gym a lot, and practice, and work with (skills coach)
Kim Brandvald a lot, sort of improve some different areas of my game.
Until recently, it was not a question worth asking, unless you enjoy
It’s been fun to implement that in game situations.”
getting laughed out of the room with the door locked behind you.
While on his PTO, Stempniak lived in Boston and got to use the Warrior
Now it must be asked: Can the Bruins win the Stanley Cup?
Ice Arena facilities and work with the Bruins. He practiced at almost all
their skates despite not being on the roster. You better believe they can because they’re playing as if they believe
they can, and it doesn’t feel like just a hot streak.
“It’s unique,” he said. “I knew a lot of those guys, from playing before and
the summer, so there’s a lot of comfort there. It’s an easy group of guys In the eyes of some, the Bruins needed to execute a blockbuster at the
to be involved with. I felt very welcomed but at the same time tried not to trading deadline to be taken seriously. Instead, they acquired a pair of
infringe. I think it was mutually beneficial.” solid forwards in Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson to fill the need for
more scoring punch.
There was hope another team might come calling at some point as well,
but now the goal is, while he rounds into game shape, getting a shot with OK, fair point, but it doesn’t address a far more significant development
the Bruins again. that has boosted the Bruins’ energy and confidence.
As an NHL veteran, new experiences can be hard to come by. This year Acquiring a proven performer with a big name at the trading deadline
has taught Stempniak a lot, and he’s working on getting the most out of emboldens any team in any sport but tends not to have quite the same
it. effect as the explosion onto the scene of one of their own, a young talent
playing in a way that makes everyone else feel a little younger. It’s been
Kuhlman back after taste of NHL
that way forever.
Karson Kuhlman‘s NHL experience included playing with David Krejci
Think: Montreal Canadiens goalie Ken Dryden in 1971, Pittsburgh Pirates
and scoring one of six goals in the Bruins thrilling win over the Sharks on
slim pitcher Bruce Kison several months later. (Forgive me, but sports
their west coast swing.
memories from age 12 flood back easily because it’s the age when
He’s back in Providence for the time being after the B’s trade deadline you’re old enough to understand what’s going on and still naive enough
acquisitions, but there’s plenty he took away from his brief experience to think you one day will play for pay).
with the big club.
Think: Bruins left winger Jake DeBrusk. Unlike Dryden and Kison,
“It was a great experience in Boston,” he said. “We had a nice little west DeBrusk has been on the roster all season, but has transformed from
coast swing, and it was great to be a part of that. Seeing how they play inconsistent you talent early to absolute monster of late.
and work together there, and coming back down here wanting to
In the past nine games, DeBrusk has seven goals and six assists. The
contribute.”
way he was so under control in redirecting a puck in the air to Patrice
In his limited time, Kuhlman showed an ability to kill penalties and be Bergeron, who fed Brad Marchand for a power-play goal in Saturday’s 1-
tenacious in puck battles, and found his game translates well to the NHL 0 victory over the Devils at TD Garden was a thing of beauty.
style.
Something about baby-faced assassins coming of age makes teammates
“It gave me a lot of confidence,” he said. “Confidence to make plays and and fans in the stands rejoice with extra gusto.
get up and down the ice. Just take it one day at a time, that’s what I
Existing veterans view the emergence of a young talent not only as
learned there. I think everybody’s motivated, that’s why we’re all here
someone lending the team what was lacking, but also as someone who
and play the game. Getting a glimpse of it was good for me to continue to
needs their steadying influence. They get what they need and at the
take it day by day and keep working hard.”
same time feel needed, always an ideal mix for the chemistry of a team
JFK injured again blending youth and experience.
After returning from a concussion over the weekend, Jakob Forsbacka David Krejci, 32, wouldn’t be at his best without DeBrusk, 22, finishing
Karlsson took a big check from Springfield’s Bobby Farnham in the what he starts, and DeBrusk wouldn’t be everything he has become
second period on Sunday and didn’t return for the third. … without Krejci setting him up.
Since the Bruins acquired Paul Carey from Ottawa, the Weymouth native
has 11 goals in 18 games, including two goals on Sunday. The first, atCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
The problem with writing off the Bruins’ NHL-best 16 games in a row with zone right now, and it looks like one of his easier shutouts, but I think
at least one point as a hot streak that will cool is that it ignores that this these games are sometimes hard to play. When you don’t see a lot of
team has outpaced expectations all season. action you have to stay focused. He’s no different coming off a big win
against Tampa, so I give him a lot of credit, especially early on to make
Nobody had any right to expect the Bruins to play as well as they did sure the guys know you’re ready to go.”
throughout a ridiculous stretch or injuries to blueliners early, just as is the
case now without injured All-Star forward David Pastrnak. The effort was appreciated by his teammates, who played well
defensively but didn’t leave him any margin for error on the scoreboard.
Sure, there’s a reason that it was noted high in game accounts of the
Bruins’ 4-1 victory Thursday over the Tampa Bay Lightning, that it was “I’m sure it can be tough for a goalie when you don’t have a ton of
the visitors’ third game in four nights. Fatigue was a factor, especially in action,” said Brad Marchand. “It seemed like they had pretty consistent
the third period, but that doesn’t mean the Bruins didn’t get more out of pressure when they were cutting into our zone, buzzing around, pucks
the game than points in the standings. You beat up on the best team in are going to come to the net so enough where he’s got to be focused and
the league, regardless of circumstances, you believe you can beat ready. He’s a professional, he’s great at what he does, he finds ways to
anybody, anywhere. keep focused in there and be ready when he’s got to stop pucks.”
Sure, many things will need to fall into line for the Bruins to win their As for staying focused, Rask said that, well, he’s been at this for a while
seventh Stanley Cup; Tuukka Rask playing in the postseason as he has now.
since the first day of 2019; the Joraslav Halak of October and February,
not the middle months; continued elite play from DeBrusk. “It comes with the experience, you just learn to hang out, watch the
game, and take it like a practice,” said Rask. “When they come try to stop
The Bruins need to be at their best to win it all. The Lightning can win it at it, that’s it. If you start thinking too much then you screw yourself
less than their very best. Back to the original question: Can the Bruins mentally, that’s where the experience comes in, you just let them come to
win the Stanley Cup? You better believe they can. you when they come.”
Looking good
Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2019 The B’s new third line with Charlie Coyle in the middle has been solid.
Coyle’s strength has helped the group control play and has allowed
veteran David Backes to become more positively involved in the game.
1134241 Boston Bruins But whether it’s been Joakim Nordstrom or Peter Cehlarik on the left
wing, the unit has not broken through for any points yet.
“We want to keep building it, building it. You want the end result. You
Tuukka Rask is rolling for Bruins want to be rewarded for our efforts,” said Coyle. “It feels like we are right
there. Yeah, it’s right there. We are getting opportunities, chances. It’s
going to go in sooner or later for us. So we just keep doing the right
By STEVE CONROY things and don’t stray away from it.”
March 3, 2019 at 5:00 PM We’ll see if Cehlarik gets another shot at it. Cassidy benched him the
entire third period in he B’s win over Jersey.
“There was a few things we didn’t like,” said Cassidy. “We’ve talked
If the season ended today, Tuukka Rask would not be the Vezina Trophy about allowing guys to play through certain parts of their game and
winner. But he’s getting awfully close to that free trip to Las Vegas in late sometimes it’s better to sit and watch. Tonight, we chose the latter. There
June for Awards Night. were some things we had talked to him about. It wasn’t the penalty.
Penalties happen. It was a little more about his routes, responsibility
Back in the second week of November, Rask appeared to be headed for
away from the puck, managing it at the end of the second period in your
a lost season. He was going through his now annual early season
own end. Those are things we’ve talked to him numerous times about, so
struggles when he asked to take a some time off to deal with a personal
we went a different route, and we’ll see where it leads.”
issue. In his absence, Jaroslav Halak posted big wins over Toronto and
Vegas and it appeared as if Rask had finally lost his hold on the No. 1 job Cehlarik has more offensive upside than Nordstrom, though Nordstrom
he’s held since the 2013. has more speed to get to loose pucks and is more defensively polished.
Cassidy also took a look at Marcus Johansson on the line for a couple of
But Rask has bounced back in a huge way. Since a Dec. 23 clunker
shifts on Saturday. But all these players could be placeholders until
against Carolina in which he allowed five goals in a bad loss, he’s been
Danton Heinen drops down when David Pastrnak returns in a couple of
excellent. Reminiscent of last season when he reeled off a 21-game point
weeks.
streak (19-0-2) Rask’s 1-0 shutout of the New Jersey Devils on Saturday
pushed his current point streak to 17 games (14-0-3) and in that time, Bergy moving up
he’s got a .933 save percentage. In the midst of the streak, he rebounded
from a concussion and has showed no ill-effects, ether physically or It seems like Patrice Bergeron is always tying or passing some Bruins
mentally. He’s got his season save percentage up to .922 and goals icon in the club’s record books. When Marchand converted his beautiful
against average down to 2.29. backhand pass for the game’s only goal on Saturday, it was his 793rd
career point, pulling him even for sixth place on the all-time Bruins’
Rask didn’t see a ton of rubber in his third shutout of the season (20 scoring list with Wayne Cashman, who was on the coaching staff in
saves), but he did have to turn away a Jesper Bratt breakaway midway Bergeron’s first two years with the B’s.
through the third. Had he been lulled out of focus by the inaction, the
outcome of the game might have been different. But Rask is locked in “Cash was amazing. He’s a great man. He was always cracking jokes.
right now. He was a pleasure to be around and get to know,” said Bergeron, who
was unaware he was approaching Cashman in the record book. “It is
“He was very good in that regard because goalies are humans too, right? great being there with those guys. They’re people I respect so much and
They have a tendency to let their foot off, so to speak, take a mental I’ve had the pleasure to meet over the years.”
breather, and tonight was very important he didn’t because of what we
talked about that,” coach Bruce Cassidy said. “I thought we’d play solidly
but have the odd breakdown. He was there for us,. He’s really in theCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2019 the scoring was done in the first three minutes of the game when Brad
Marchand scored a power play goal. It was a thing of beauty with Patrice
Bergeron firing a backhanded, no-look pass to Marchand for a one-timer
1134242 Boston Bruins snapped under the crossbar for his 27th goal of the season, and the rest
of the game was a gritty, blue collar game of defense, physicality and big
boy hockey.
Bruins' Tuukka Rask becomes second NHL goalie ever to accomplish “I thought they did a good job with that. They didn’t give us much. When
this feat they did, their goaltender was there and ends up being more of a
defensive-minded game on both sides. We didn’t seem to have the same
pop we did this week,” said Bruce Cassidy. “We talked about that.
By Nick Goss Emotionally, we might be a little bit not as invested, but again, [it was]
enough to win. Like I said, it’s too hard to win in this league to get picky.”
March 03, 2019 12:34 PM
Credit the Devils for still playing hard with pretty much nothing to play for
in the final months of the regular season, but also credit the Bruins for
doing whatever was necessary to bank another two points in a game far
Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask is playing at an elite level over
less exciting than matchups against the Sharks and Lightning.
the last few months, and in Saturday night's shutout win over the New
Jersey Devils he accomplished a rare feat. “They can’t all be pretty ones especially the way [the Devils] play, they
play hard and they’re aggressive,” said Brad Marchand. “At the end of
Rask extended his point streak to 17 games, becoming only the second
the day we got the two points, in the regular season that’s what you
goaltender in NHL history ever to have multiple point streaks of 17 or
need. I’ll take it and we’ll focus on the next one.
more games in a career.
“When you have a lot of young guys in the [Devils] lineup playing for
Per @PR_NHL, Tuukka Rask (14-0-3 since Dec. 29) is just the second
spots on the team and contracts and things like that, you got to watch
goalie in NHL history to post multiple career point streaks of at least 17
those things you can’t sleep on them. We knew that coming in. We had
decisions.
time in the game where we played really good hockey and times where
Pete Peeters is other to accomplish the feat (1979-80 w/PHI and 1982-83 we weren’t great but that’s how it goes.”
with #NHLBruins). pic.twitter.com/5VwXa60ATu
So now the Bruins have won three games in a row, posted a 9-0-1 record
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) March 3, 2019 in their last 10 games and have outscored opponents 31-12 in the nine
games since their biggest offensive game-breaker, David Pastrnak, went
The Finnish netminder made 20 saves in the win against the Devils as down with a thumb injury. The goals didn’t come as early and often
the B's extended their team point streak to 16 games. against New Jersey as they have for most of that stretch for the Black
and Gold, but the Bruins once again showed they can win in many
Rask now ranks seventh in the league in goals against average (2.29)
different ways. This time it was a grimy defensive effort and Tuukka Rask
and ninth in save percentage (.922). It's certainly possible Rask could
playing flawless between the pipes while making 20 stops, including a big
play his way into the conversation for the Vezina Trophy -- an award he
save on a Jesper Bratt breakaway in the third period after he sped past
won during the 2013-14 campaign.
Zdeno Chara following an offensive zone face-off.
Rask and backup goalie Jaroslav Halak have formed an exceptional
It was one of the few scoring chances for a modest New Jersey offense
tandem for the Bruins. These veteran netminders are largely responsible
that was thoroughly and totally squelched by the Boston defense.
for Boston ranking second in the league in both goals against per game
and save percentage. The shutout for Rask highlighted just how good the goaltending has been
throughout the B’s winning stretch over the last month plus, and allowed
The Bruins are a hard team to play against, and that identity begins in
Boston’s No. 1 goalie to step up and take some of the credit in an
net, where Rask is having a stellar two-month run as good as any we've
otherwise ho-hum kind of game.
seen in team history.
“I was hoping [the fans] weren’t rattled that they had to pay to watch this
game. It wasn’t pretty, but the way we started we were on time until we
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.04.2019 got the lead,” said Rask. “I think they lost yesterday so we knew [the
Devils] were going to play tight defense, they always do so those goals
are not easy to come by against the team. The way we defended again
1134243 Boston Bruins was great.”
Certainly a time with deep playoff aspirations like the Bruins has to show
they can win ugly after so many aesthetically pleasing victories as of late.
It wasn't pretty, but the Bruins showed something new in Devils win
Amazingly Rask hasn’t lost a game in regulation since the pre-Christmas
debacle in Carolina, and is picking up in March where he left off February
and January playing mistake-free hockey between the pipes.
By Joe Haggerty
It won’t be like that every night with the Bruins generating a whole lot
March 03, 2019 10:02 AM more offense with a complete lineup following the trade deadline, and not
every team is going to play the purposefully boring, event-free style that
the Devils are going with right now.
BOSTON – It wasn’t nearly as exciting or as well-executed as many of
the Bruins wins over their 16-game point streak, but the Bruins avoided But the Bruins showed they can avoid the trap game just as easily as
the trap and took care of business in a 1-0 win over the New Jersey they can rise up for the big games against the NHL’s elite, and that is the
Devils on Saturday night. sure thing of a hockey club that’s playing their best brand at the most
important time of year.
Like so many games between the Bruins and Devils over the years, there
wasn’t a whole lot of action going on for much of the contest. In fact all ofCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • March 4, 2019
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 03.04.2019 "I’m happiest for Jack because he gets to do this in front of his friends
and family. I’m proud of Jack every time he gets to play. It doesn’t matter
where it is. Jack’s just doing a great job. I know it’s been a tough year,
1134347 Winnipeg Jets persevering, but he’s becoming a better player for it," said Robinson.
Roslovic remains a humble, soft-spoken athlete who is ready to take on
whatever role coach Paul Maurice believes is best to help the team win.
Columbus native Roslovic a humble hometown hero That’s included a stint on the top power play unit for a few games last
month, playing on the second line at times, and now moving from centre
to wing in essentially a fourth-line role.
Mike McIntyre
He remembers his NHL debut in the rink he grew up watching pro
Posted: 03/3/2019 9:25 PM hockey, but says those two years seem like a lifetime ago.
Last Modified: 03/3/2019 11:35 PM "Things have changed from then. It’s just the whole comfort thing. Light
years ahead of what it felt like two years ago. It wasn’t too long ago, but
what we’ve been through already, what I’ve been through, it’s big
strides," Roslovic said following the morning skate.
COLUMBUS — A story about Jack Roslovic, the person, that flows out of
Jack Roslovic, the hockey player. "I think just the confidence at the NHL level. Being able to have that
ability to say you’re a player, and that you can play. And just being able
It’s January 2017 and Roslovic has just captured a gold medal with the
to use all those assets that got you here and use them to the best of your
United States World Junior team. One of the first texts he sends is to a
ability."
former coach back home in Columbus, Ed Gingher. He has a question.
He’s up to seven goals and 10 assists in 64 games this season but
"I’m going to be in Columbus tomorrow. Are any of the kids on the ice?"
believes there’s much more offence to offer down the road. But that isn’t
Roslovic wanted to know. Gingher, who runs the Columbus Blue Jackets
something he’s worrying about now. It’s all about the greater good of the
AAA program, couldn’t believe it.
team, something that was re-enforced at a team dinner Saturday night in
Sure enough, there was Roslovic, the very next day after the biggest Columbus to kick off this road trip, with several new faces in the fold
moment of his young career, sharing in the glory with a bunch of young following the trade deadline,
players from Ohio who had just watched the hometown hero celebrating
"It’s always good on the road, the road’s a place where the guys can
on television a day earlier.
bond, you’re away from your families so not everyone’s going home,"
"There’s not a lot of guys that would do that. At 19, 20 years, that’s said Roslovic, with the notable exception of himself in this case, of
special," Gingher told me Sunday night as we chatted in a suite course.
overlooking Nationwide Arena.
Yes you can go home again. And Roslovic wouldn’t want it any other
On the ice surface below, a few minutes later, Roslovic and his Winnipeg way,
Jets teammates would skate out. It was the second NHL game for
"Our roster, we got a good one. We’ve got to get it set for what we think
Roslovic, 22, in the non-traditional hockey market he was born and
will take us the distance. In terms of playing with anyone, it’s like I’ve
raised in. He made his debut here late in the 2016-17 season, but was
always said, the depth on this team is really good, there’s not going to be
still in the minors last year when the Jets made their annual trip to
a bad player to play with up and down the lineup. I’m just excited to play
Columbus. This time, he’s a regular.
with whoever I play with," he said.
"It’s hard not to be excited. He’s a great kid, a special kid, and it makes it
And that goes for his legion of Columbus-based supporters who were
all the better when you know the quality of person making their dream
thrilled to see the Jets skate away with a big two points Sunday night.
come true. I know he doesn’t take it for granted. There’s a lot of little kids
watching him today, dreaming and hoping they’ll be the next Jack "Jack gets it. He understands the responsibility he has to pay it forward.
Roslovic out there," Gingher said. He’s a special kid that way," said Gingher. "We’ve all talked locally for a
number of years. And now it’s real, and real consistent. Guys like Jack
It’s a crowded, chaotic scene inside the suite. Roslovic had
were lucky enough to have (Ohio) guys like Connor Murphy (currently in
approximately 100 family members, friends, and former coaches,
his sixth NHL season) and Sean Kuraly (in his third NHL season) show
teammates and colleagues at the game cheering him on, with many
him the ropes. And now the responsibility is on Jack to show the younger
coming and going throughout the night.
kids as well."
And while he wouldn’t have much of a night on the stat sheet — 11 shifts,
7:09 of ice time with one hit and one takeaway — that really wasn’t the
point for his supporters. Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 03.04.2019
"We are very, very blessed," said his mother, Jane. There have been
many highs this season — Roslovic’s first-ever NHL hat trick against
Anaheim last month would be right up there — but a trip back home is 1134348 Winnipeg Jets
always at the top of the list.
No matter how much success he has in the greatest league in the world,
Maurice clams up about plans for lineup
his mother doesn’t expect him to change one bit. That’s not how he was
raised.
"He’s just a good guy, a really nice guy. He’s genuine about it. It’s not a By: Mike McIntyre
false humllity. He’s always been that way, always been caring," said Jane
Roslovic. Posted: 03/3/2019 6:32 PM
Another good friend watching over him Sunday was agent Ken Robinson,
a Columbus native. He can’t hide the big smile on his face.You can also read
