CAROLINA HURRICANES NEWS CLIPPINGS October 26, 2018 - NHL.com
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CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Canes recall goalie Scott Darling from Checkers
By Chip Alexander Darling, who lost 25 pounds in the offseason, was sharp
throughout most of preseason training camp but suffered a
The Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday recalled goalie Scott lower-body injury in the Canes’ final preseason game Sept.
Darling from his conditioning stint with the Charlotte 30 against the Nashville Predators. He was placed on injured
Checkers of the AHL. reserve Oct. 3 and the Canes claimed goalie Curtis
Darling, activated off NHL injured reserve on Monday, had McElhinney off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
25 saves in the Checkers’ 3-1 win Wednesday over the Utica McElhinney has a 3-1-0 record in four starts with a 2.76
Comets and allowed the goal late in the game in Utica. N.Y. goals-against average and .892 save percentage. Mrazek is
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Thursday he did not see 2-2-1 with a 2.64 GAA and .888 save percentage.
the game or video of Darling’s play in the game, saying, “I “(Darling) is obviously healthy now, so we can leave that
got all the updates and it sounded like it went pretty well for question behind,’” Brind’Amour said. “Now we just have to
him. It’s encouraging he got through it and feels good about figure out who’s the best guy to go and get us a win
his game and the team felt good about it. He can put that all (Friday).”
behind him now and get back up here and get ready to go.”
Brind’Amour said he wasn’t sure how management would
Brind’Amour said he was not sure when Darling would make handle having three goalies on the roster, saying, “I don’t
his first start, saying, “Obviously soon. We’ll get him up, get think that’s the plan but that’s one of those decisions that are
him in the groove of everything and then make our decision.” kind of out of my hands. The good news is we like all three of
The Canes host the San Jose Sharks on Friday and the New them. That’s a pretty good problem to have.”
York Islanders on Sunday. Petr Mrazek was the Canes’ Brind’Amour said he relies on goaltending coach Mike Bales
starter Monday in a 3-1 road win over the Detroit Red Wings. in making the decisions on how the goalies are slotted into
games.
Preview: Sharks vs. Hurricanes
Canes open three-game homestand of the net, and sealed the victory with two penalty kills in the
game's final six minutes and a shorthanded, empty-net tally.
by Michael Smith
"They earned the win. They did things right," head coach
The Carolina Hurricanes open a three-game homestand Rod Brind'Amour said. "There was no doubt who the better
when they host the San Jose Sharks on Friday night. team was, and that's the way we have to play."
The Hurricanes are coming off a 3-1 victory over the Red The Hurricanes will now need to carry that special teams
Wings in Detroit on Monday, in which special teams factored momentum forward into Friday's cross-conference match-up
in on each of the team's three goals. with the Sharks.
Building on a W "It's nice just to get it going. It's been a pretty sore spot
Monday's victory in the Motor City helped the Canes stall a throughout the year so far," Faulk said. "We just need to
three-game losing skid, and they did so with the two keep it going. We're obviously happy it was that way tonight,
elements of their game that were struggling the most: power but we're not satisfied, knowing that one game is not
play and penalty kill. The Canes scored two power-play enough. We need to turn around and do it again Friday."
goals, with Justin Faulk and Micheal Ferland finding the back Roy Recalled
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
The Hurricanes swapped forwards with Charlotte this week, "I think it's encouraging that he got through it and felt good
reassigning Clark Bishop to their top farm club while recalling about his game," Brind'Amour said. "He can get back up
Nicolas Roy, who tallied five goals in his first six games with here and get ready to go."
the Checkers this season.
Darling wasn't back at practice with the Hurricanes on
"We wanted to give him a shot. He's a big body who can Thursday, and Brind'Amour didn't commit to when the 29-
play. He's a right-hand center," Brind'Amour said. "I felt like year-old would make his season debut in the crease.
he had a real good training camp. He deserved the chance."
"Obviously soon, but I'm not sure," he said. "We'll get him up,
"It was my goal when I got sent down. I told myself that I get him in the groove of everything and then make our
want to be here. I want to be a Carolina Hurricane," Roy decision."
said. "That's why I did hard work there and tried to be better.
Feeling good there and got the call-up." The Opposition
Like Bishop did and Martin Necas before him, Roy will center The Sharks won their third straight game on Tuesday,
a line with Valentin Zykov and Brock McGinn. defeating the Predators 5-4 in Nashville. San Jose and
Carolina share the exact same record through nine games:
"Last year I was a little bit more nervous. I'm still nervous, but 5-3-1 and 11 points.
the first game is a different feeling. You don't know what to
expect," said Roy, who made his NHL debut in the Canes' "They've got a very, very good team," Brind'Amour said. "It's
final game of the 2017-18 season. "I played with Z last year going to be a big test."
when I came up too." AT THE RINK
Darling Activated It's First Responders Appreciation Night at PNC Arena,
Scott Darling was activated from injured reserve and which will include a special South Plaza pregame event that
completed a one-game conditioning assignment with the will feature various first respondent vehicles.
Checkers, stopping 25 of 26 shots in Utica in a 3-1 win on WATCH, LISTEN & STREAM
Wednesday.
Watch: FOX Sports Carolinas, FOX Sports app
Listen: 99.9 The Fan, Hurricanes app, Hurricanes.com/Listen
Canes Still Slot High in Power Rankings
Hurricanes rank in top 10 on four of six lists ESPN
Hurricanes rank: 8
by Michael Smith Previous rank: 7
The Carolina Hurricanes got back in the win column with a 3- "The Canes are Corsi gods, but that's nothing new. Still, we
1 victory in Detroit on Monday and, days into the fourth week should marvel at the fact that Carolina boasts three lines with
of the regular season, the team remains atop the a Corsi for percentage over 57."
Metropolitan Division at 5-3-1 (11 points).
Sportsnet
The Hurricanes have dipped slightly in the latest power Hurricanes rank: 10
rankings, but they're still among the top 10 in many lists from Previous rank: 6
around the internet.
"The ballin'-on-a-budget Hurricanes have already dressed
NHL.com five guys on their entry-level deals. We knew Andrei
Hurricanes rank: 10 Svechnikov (four points) was the real deal, but how about
Previous rank: 9 Warren Foegele (five points), a 2014 pick who's cracked the
"Sebastian Aho has a nine-game point streak to open the Canes top six? The duo sits tied for the rookie lead in shots
season (four goals, 10 assists). He is two shy of tying Ron with 25 apiece."
Francis' record for consecutive games with at least one point TSN
to start a season in Hurricanes/Hartford Whalers history. Hurricanes rank: 4
Francis had an 11-game streak for Hartford to start the 1984- Previous rank: 4
85 season."
"Sebastian Aho, who's fourth in NHL scoring with 11 points,
NHL.com compiles top-16 lists from 13 staff writers in order has led the Hurricanes offensively while former Leafs backup
to amalgamate a ranking consensus. Among these lists, the Curtis McElhinney is 3-0 with a 2.64 goals-against average
Hurricanes ranked as high as 9 (Amalie Benjamin, Adam and .900 save percentage at the other end of the rink."
Kimelman, Robert LaFlamme, Bill Price), as low as not being
ranked in the top 16 (Tom Gulitti) and a few spots in between CBS Sports
(10, 10, 12, 13, 13, 13, 14, 15). Hurricanes rank: 12
Previous rank: 4
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
"They had a very tough week, and a win over Detroit hardly have to accept at some point that this is just a team that
means much. But Sebastian Aho and Micheal Ferland still doesn't have goaltending (unless Scott Darling figures it out).
give them juice."
What's amazing, then, is they might be able to shoot their
Yahoo! Sports way out of it for now; they have 183 shots on goal in their
Hurricanes rank: 19 last….. FOUR games? And they're 1-3 somehow? Good
Previous rank: 7 lord, if they can find someone to go even league average
they might never lose again."
"Weird to say that a Carolina team that has a positive goal
difference and has points from five of eight games isn't
getting the bounces but they're not getting the bounces. You
Carolina Hurricanes vs. San Jose Sharks: Game Preview and Storm Advisory
The Canes look to win back-to-back games when they take
on the San Jose Sharks in the opener of a three-game Category Hurricanes Sharks
homestand.
By Justin Lape Division Rank 2 Metro 2 Pacific
The Carolina Hurricanes finally get back onto the ice after a
Conference Rank 7 EC 7 WC
three-day break to take on the San Jose Sharks at home
tonight in Raleigh. The Canes are coming off a 3-1 win over
the Detroit Red Wings that broke their three-game losing Last 10 Games 5-3-1 5-3-1
skid. They’ll take on a Sharks team on a three-game win
streak with the most recent win coming against the Nashville
Streak Won 1 Won 3
Predators on Tuesday.
Carolina Hurricanes (5-3-1) vs. San Jose Sharks (5-3-1) Goals/Game 3.22 3.44
Friday, October 26, 2018 - 7:30 p.m. ET
PNC Arena - Raleigh, NC Goals Against/Game 2.89 2.78
TV: Fox Sports Carolinas
Radio: 99.9 The Fan Shots/Game 41.8 38.1
Follow Canes Country on Social Media
Shots Against/Game 24.4 26.8
Twitter @CanesCountry
Facebook Canes Country
Instagram @canescountrypix Faceoff % 50.5 29.4
San Jose rolls into Raleigh second in the Pacific Division
behind the Vancouver Canucks. The team boasts one of the Power Play % (Rank) 12.1% (25) 20.6% (17)
best defensive corps in the league led by Brent Burns and
Erik Karlsson. Martin Jones has struggled early on, posting a Penalty Kill % (Rank) 70.0% (29) 84.2% (6)
.899 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average.
Vital Statistics ES Corsi For % 61.0% 61.1%
Category Hurricanes Sharks ES PDO 98.9 97.0
Record 5-3-1 5-3-1 PIM/Game 8.3 12.3
Points 11 11 Goaltender #1
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Category Petr Mrazek Martin Jones
Game Notes
Record 2-2-1 4-3-0 Micheal Ferland and Sebastian Aho come into tonight’s
match-up with their point streaks intact. Ferland has a streak
of four games while Aho has a nine game streak. Aho scores
Save % .888 .899 three goals in two games against the Sharks last season.
Logan Couture and Brent Burns are tied for first on the
GAA 2.65 2.60 Sharks with ten points apiece.
San Jose swept last season’s series, winning 5-4 in overtime
Goaltender #2
at the Shark Tank and taking a 3-1 win in Raleigh.
Category Curtis McElhinney Aaron Dell The first goal will be very important. The Sharks are 5-1-1
when scoring first. The Hurricanes are 4-1-0 when getting
the game’s first goal.
Record 3-1-0 1-0-1
The Hurricanes are 1-for-14 on the power play at home. The
Sharks lead the league with four shorthanded goals.
Save % .892 .917
Tonight is the first Friday home game of the season, so don’t
forget that it’s a 7:30 start. It’s also another alternate-jersey
GAA 2.76 2.49 night for the Canes, who are 2-0 in their new third jerseys
this season.
Metropolitan Division Weekly Roundup: It’s Crowded at the Top
Just one point separates the top three teams in the Metro. hesitated to make these passes and instead settled on a
pass back to Justin Faulk for the shot.
By Zeke Lukow
2. Pittsburgh Penguins: 10 Points (4-1-2)
1. Carolina Hurricanes: 11 Points (5-3-1)
The Penguins won a 6-5 game in overtime against the
The Hurricanes had a busy first two weeks of the season, Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, the type of game that the
quickly playing seven games. Only two other teams played Penguins are built to win on a regular basis. Even Connor
as many games in that time frame, the Vegas Golden McDavid was able to overcome the Pittsburgh defense. The
Knights and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Since October 16, the game featured two goals from Sidney Crosby including the
Canes have played just two games, which has given them game winner in overtime. In the extra session, Crosby took
time to rest and retool the lineup and special teams. The over, and outskated everyone on the ice and dangled his
Canes’ special team struggles early make sense. They are way to an incredible goal, as if he was making a statement
implementing a new system, with new players, and had little that he is still on top of the league.
time to practice between games and have enough time to
rest up. This week it has come out that the GM Jim Rutherford is not
looking to replace injured defenseman Justin Schultz by
Now with two four-day breaks in their calendar, they have making a trade. They can use Olli Maatta and have both
been able to work on their play more in depth. We saw better Chad Ruhwedel and Jeff Taylor in the press box ready to go.
movement out of the top power play unit which eventually led The biggest addition to this team has been Juuso Riikola
to two goals in Detroit. The Canes were also perfect when who was signed from Finland in the off season. He has been
down a man, going 4/4 on the PK with an empty-net short- able to step up and play crucial minutes for a previously thin
handed-goal to seal the game late in the third period. I hope blue line. Before Schultz’s injury this meant that Maatta was
in the lead up to Friday’s game against the San Jose Sharks, an odd man out some nights, but now they both can just play
Rod Brind’Amour continues to look at the power play. both defensemen on a nightly basis.
The team uses an umbrella formation that uses three players 3. Washington Capitals: 10 Points (4-2-2)
up high, in a wide triangle, and two players at the net. When
there is quick puck movement, and the defense tries to catch The Caps kicked off their Western Canada road trip with a 5-
up, a passing lane can open across the middle of the ice for 2 win against the Vancouver Canucks. The Caps will face
the two wingers. The Canes have failed to exploit this lane the Edmonton Oilers tonight, Calgary Flames on Saturday,
and has settled for lower danger shots from either the point and wrap up the trip next Thursday in Montreal. So far,
or from a wider angle. If they can exploit these passing Washington has only played away from home three times
lanes, they become high danger chances that force the and they are 1-1-1 being outscored 15-11 in those three
goalie to slide from post to post and locate the shot at the games. In two of the games the Caps gave up six or more
same time. Both Justin Williams and Sebastian Aho both
CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
goals. With three more away games left on this trip, the Caps 6. Philadelphia Flyers: 8 Points (4-5-0)
will hope they don’t fall into familiar habits.
The Flyers had high expectations heading into the season
The Caps will be looking to build on their success from but have fallen below .500 after a loss to the Colorado
Monday night. The game against the Canucks featured Avalanche on Monday. The Flyers have been scoring at an
Nicklas Backstrom’s 600th career assist. A whopping 39% of above average rate with 3.33 goals for per game through
those assists have come from Alex Ovechkin goals. their first nine games, good for 13th place in the league. The
Backstrom is the first player from the 2006 draft to reach the problem behind this number is that they are shooting at
mark. The 600th assist set up Ovechkin’s 233rd power play 10.5% to get to this point. When you compare this to the
goal, which moved him to ninth most in NHL history. The Hurricanes at 3.22 goals per game while shooting at a 7.7%
Caps power play continues to lead the league with 12 goals rate, the Flyers are likely to lose ground offensively at some
in 31 chances. point.
4. New Jersey Devils: 8 Points (4-2-0) What doesn’t help is that their goaltending has been
struggling. They have dipped further in the ranks and are
The Devils started their season red hot with four straight second to last in the league with 4.11 goal against per game.
wins. They have since gone 0-2, dropping games against the Last week I touched on their discipline issues and letting up
Avalanche and the Flyers by a combined 10-5 score. The too many PK goals, but the struggles also come at even
Devils have been bit by the injury bug and currently have strength. Their .892 even strength save percentage is
four players on IR and two players who are day to day. Five second worst in the league.
of these injuries came in their last three games. Defenseman
Will Butcher is day to day while fellow blue-liners Steven 7. New York Islanders: 7 Points (3-4-1)
Santini and Ben Lovejoy hit IR this week. Alternate captain
Travis Zajac is day-to-day with a lower-body-injury, and right- The Islanders have announced that they are moving their
wingers Drew Stafford and Jesper Bratt are also on IR. game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on February 28th from
Goaltender Cory Schneider has been activated from IR but is Brooklyn to Nassau Coliseum. This now brings the split of
in Binghamton for a conditioning stint. home games to 21 each between Brooklyn and Long Island.
Their first home game back at their old home will come on
To make up for the losses the Devils have called up John December 1 when they host the Blue Jackets, and their final
Quenneville, Kevin Rooney, Eric Gryba, and Egor Yakovlev home game in Brooklyn will come on February 16th against
from Binghamton, their American Hockey League affiliate. the Oilers.
Despite all of the injuries, head coach John Hynes, has no
plans to break up his top line of Taylor Hall, Nico Hischier, The Islanders are also starting a new era after the passing of
and Kyle Palmieri to help with depth across the board. The their former owner Charles Wang. Wang served as the
Devils entered the season with a fairly thin team, which will majority owner from 2001-2016, stabilizing the team after a
now be exacerbated with these injuries. Taylor Hall was able period of turmoil under a fraudulent owner. Wang also made
to carry the team last season, but this may be asking too a huge push to keep the Islanders on Long Island before
much out of the defending MVP. they settled to move to Brooklyn. He also oversaw the
transition from the Mike Milbury days to the John Tavares
5. Columbus Blue Jackets: 8 Points (4-4-0) era. Though he was a minority owner from 2016 on, he still
had a major influence on the team.
The Blue Jackets have lost two games in a row but now face
a struggling St. Louis Blues team with a great chance to right 8. New York Rangers: 7 Points (3-5-1)
the ship. The Jackets are still a good team who are likely to
make a run to the top of the division. Columbus has the Starting goaltender Henrik Lundqvist sat out the game
fourth lowest PDO in the league and lowest in the division against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday due to a minor
with a 96.8, meaning they have been quite unlucky. A upper-body-injury. This season many were expecting to see
change in fortune combined with the return of Seth Jones Lundqvist to start, but possibly in a lesser role, giving
means the Blue Jackets are likely to turn it around soon and Alexandar Georgiev the chance to get more NHL action to
start climbing the standings. see if he can develop into a legitimate starter, but that has
not been the case. Lundqvist, now 36 years old, has started
With Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky both stalled in all but two games this season, posting a .921 save
their respective contract talks, the Blue Jackets will be the percentage.
most interesting team to watch through the end of the
season. If this team continues to struggle, it won’t help the In other roster news, the Rangers have sent Matt Beleskey
team retain either player. The Jackets would like to avoid the down to the AHL. Beleskey was one of the pieces that came
same fate as the Islanders and not lose one or both players over to the Rangers in the Rick Nash deal at the deadline
for nothing. Both could return large packages of picks and last season. The Rangers hope that the forward can
prospects at the deadline and help make sure that Columbus contribute to the NHL roster this year. If not, his cap hit in the
doesn’t get set too far back. AHL will be $875k, not counting the $1.9 million still on the
Bruins’ books as retained salaryCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Carolina Hurricanes recall Scott Darling from AHL conditioning stint
All signs point to the goalie making his season debut in the plans now that they have three healthy goaltenders on the
next few days, possibly as soon as Friday. active roster.
By Brian LeBlanc The release from the team is below.
A one game conditioning stint was all that Scott Darling DARLING RECALLED FROM CONDITIONING STINT
needed to prove to the Carolina Hurricanes that he was
ready to return from a preseason lower body injury. Goaltender made 25 saves in 3-1 Checkers win on
Wednesday
The Hurricanes activated Darling from his assignment to the
American Hockey League on Thursday, one day after Don Waddell, President and General Manager of the
Darling took a shutout into the final five minutes of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, today
Checkers’ win over Utica and earned the first star of the announced that the team has recalled goaltender Scott
game in a 3-1 win. Darling will be available to the Hurricanes Darling from his conditioning stint with Charlotte (AHL).
for the upcoming three-game homestand that begins Friday Darling, 29, stopped 25 of 26 shots in a 3-1 win at Utica on
with a visit from the San Jose Sharks. Wednesday, in his first AHL appearance since 2015. The
Darling suffered a lower body injury in the pre-season finale 6’5”, 226-pound netminder suffered a lower-body injury in
against Nashville and begin the season on injured reserve, Carolina’s final exhibition game against the Nashville
necessitating a waiver claim for Curtis McElhinney from the Predators on Sept. 30 and was placed on injured reserve on
Toronto Maple Leafs. Following today’s practice we should Oct. 3. Darling has posted a 52-38-16 record in his NHL
get an update from coach Rod Brind’Amour about the Canes’ career with a 2.67 goals-against average, a .910 save
percentage and four shutouts.
Zach Boychuk is following you on Twitter, too? There’s actually a story behind that
By Craig Custance followers he has on his account is even higher — he recently
passed the 895,000 follower mark.
It happened again on Wednesday. One of the small circle
Twitter avatars that recently gave me a follow looked To give that number some perspective, Auston Matthews is
interesting. The avatar was a mugshot of Jim Rutherford, a only managing 162,000 followers. Connor McDavid is doing
curious enough picture to warrant a mouse-over in search of a little better at 337,000. Add in Hart Trophy winner Taylor
more information. Hall’s 510,000 followers and put them all together and they
finally can pass Boychuk as a group.
In this case, the short investigation revealed that this wasn’t,
in fact, the Penguins GM. It was a follower named Boychuk, and his Twitter feed of life observations, hockey
CarolinaChirp, an account that has a grand total of nine highlights and plugs for his sponsors, is a social media
tweets and one follower. powerhouse. And it comes from an unlikely source.
The one follower? Zach Boychuk. Boychuk hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2014-15 season
with the Carolina Hurricanes. His most recent season in
Of course. North America came the following year, split between
It’s a fun game. Randomly scan followers on a hockey Charlotte and Bakersfield.
Twitter account and count just how many of them Boychuk, a He has spent the past three seasons playing in the KHL, this
veteran of 127 career NHL games and now playing in the year with Cherepovets where he has four points in 22
KHL, currently follows on Twitter. games. Not necessarily the guy you’d expect to have one of
Hold on, I’ll do it right now on my account. the most popular hockey Twitter accounts around.
The most recent person to follow me on Twitter is named “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy,” Boychuk told The Athletic. “It started
Denim Chicken. Yep, Boychuk follows the account. Boychuk probably five or six years ago.”
is one of five followers for this account that is a “roasted Boychuk was an early adopter to Twitter. He joined in
chicken that wears jeans,” according to its bio. November 2009 and spent his early days observing, more
Moving down the recent follows list — Boychuk is the only than growing his following. His stepdad was really tech
follower of an account called Pukki Ucco. He’s one of two savvy, a guy who spent a lot of time fixing computers, and he
followers for Andrew. One of 11 for Creamy Freshness. And discovered Twitter first. Immediately, he told Boychuk he
on it goes. needed to be on there.
Once you notice the Zach Boychuk phenomenon, it’s hard This was before the days of the Twitter app or
not to look for it. At last count, Boychuk’s Twitter account recommendations of who to follow, so his stepdad handed
followed 867,990 people (and chickens). The number of him a list of hockey writers he should follow once he loggedCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
in — starting with Bob McKenzie, Greg Wyshynski and account was now dedicated strictly to interacting with fans,
Darren Dreger. No offense taken. which he’d do regularly. He’d follow fans, and he’d get an
excited response. It is surely a bit of a thrill to see a player
“I literally went to twitter.com,” Boychuk said in retelling the from the team you’re rooting for show up amongst your
origin story, like visiting a website was the equivalent of followers, and the fans would let him know how excited they
pulling pages off a Gutenberg press. were. The more people he followed, the more his following
In the beginning, it was more watching than posting. He grew, so he made it a priority. He’d be on a team bus,
started to realize the power of this new medium when he was manually following a thousand people a day and getting
sitting on a team bus while playing for Albany in 2010. It was teased by teammates about it. But his reach grew.
early March, right near the trade deadline, and he was Around 50K followers, came the free stuff. Clothing. Flights.
monitoring Twitter closely looking for scoops. Mattresses.
Occasionally, he’d read out loud a few of the more “That’s when companies start to take notice and realize you
interesting deals, including a trade that he thought was can be used as an influencer,” he said.
shipping Jay Harrison out of the organization. Turns out it
was Albany teammate Harrison Reed, sitting right next to They’d send him a message. He’d give out his address and a
him on the bus, sent to Colorado in the Stephane Yelle trade. package would arrive at the door. The more he researched,
the more he realized what a powerful platform he was
“I thought, this was pretty cool,” Boychuk said. growing. He found an app that automated the people his
He dipped his toes in to actually tweeting. His first one was account would follow and the numbers took off.
about his first goal. The followers started to flow in, new “Now, it’s all basically through apps and through a computer
users eager for an inside glimpse into the hockey world. His that will follow 20,000 people a day,” he said. “Not only does
email notifications were piling up by the hundreds. it make their day, it gets them to follow you back.”
When he was called up to the NHL, he specifically Sure, there’s pushback. He’s been blocked. His timeline on
remembers a road trip to Philadelphia where the team that account is a mess. With it all automated, there’s no
grabbed a meal at Dave & Busters. Boychuk had his telling who he is following, something he’s reminded of when
Blackberry and started taking pictures of teammates. he occasionally checks the timeline.
There was Eric Staal playing Wheel of Fortune, with a bunch “There’s tweets every half second, it’s pretty impossible to
of tickets streaming out. There was Cam Ward playing follow anything,” he said. “You get some random stuff you
another game. Boychuk grabbed the pictures and sent one sometimes don’t want to see. I block a few of those things
out on Twitter. out.”
“I remember that. We chirped him,” Staal said. “It was like, But in all, it’s been a worthwhile venture for Boychuk. He’s
‘What are you doing?’ At the same time, nobody really cared. extended his brand to Instagram (where he has 113K
… He was smart enough.” followers) along with Snapchat. Facebook has been the
But that might have been the incident that earned him his biggest challenge.
first warning. The advice that came from GM Jim Rutherford And the result has been more attention from businesses. It’s
was simple: Don’t do anything here you’ll regret. moved beyond free stuff and into actual sponsorship, with
“He was definitely a little nervous about it,” Boychuk said. three or four companies paying him “substantial money” to
“The next day, Rutherford was like, ‘You’re in the NHL, promote their products.
you’re with a bunch of guys in the public eye. Make sure “There’s one that’s pretty crazy numbers,” he said. “I’ve kind
you’re not doing stuff like that where random people might of been very choosy.”
show up at a Dave & Busters.”
It’s also allowed him to meet people he wouldn’t otherwise.
“All you have to do is get off track on one or two words and it He’s met hockey fans through his Twitter account. Movie
can affect you. That was my point,” Rutherford said. “All I stars. Comedians. Reality television stars. He’s made
was saying is, ‘Be careful.’ We’ve seen what can happen business connections.
over and over.”
In a world where players often have no idea what to do when
Boychuk was careful. He took the advice to heart. But he they actually stop playing hockey, Boychuk is setting himself
kept tweeting and growing his audience. A move to the up nicely for a business when he’s done. The options are
Pittsburgh Penguins organization helped expose him to endless with a platform like the one he’s developing now.
another, even larger, fanbase, and his follower total Maybe there will be a clothing line. Or his own product that
continued to grow. Then came a move to Nashville and more he develops. He’s not sure, because he’s still focused on
fans to tap into. It was fun and somewhere around the 30- hockey.
40,000 follower mark he learned it could be profitable, as
well. He started to chat with people in the offseason about In the meantime, he’s just growing this thing with one
how to use social media as a business. automated follow at a time.
At that point, he was following around 800 people and even “It may not be the best way, but it’s been effective for me,” he
that was a lot, enough that he started a second private said. “And I’ve had a lot of fun doing it.”
account to use strictly for news and personal use. His initialCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
NHL Power Rankings: Unsustainable early stats for all 31 teams
Emily KaplanESPN David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand have
combined for 44 points this season, the most of any NHL trio.
We're not even a month into the season, so each team's One of those three has been involved in 23 of the Bruins' 31
performance is still defined by a small sample size. For this goals this season. A dominant top line is a good problem to
week's ESPN NHL Power Rankings -- voted on as always by have, but the teams playing deepest into the spring usually
ESPN's panel of experts -- we identify one unsustainable stat have more balance.
for all 31 teams.
7. San Jose Sharks
Note: These rankings reflect which teams our voters think
would win head-to-head matchups. Higher-ranked teams Previous ranking: 20
would be favored against lower-ranked teams.
The Sharks are a great possession team, peppering
1. Nashville Predators opponents with shots and pressure. However, goaltender
Martin Jones isn't playing to his full potential lately. He's
Previous ranking: 2 sporting just a .891 save percentage at even strength. We've
The reigning Presidents' Trophy winners look sharp in most seen better from Jones, and he should get back on track.
areas of their game. But the power play, which hit at a 21.2 8. Carolina Hurricanes
percent clip in 2017-18, isn't clicking. The Predators have
scored only three extra-man goals on 31 opportunities (9.7 Previous ranking: 7
percent).
The Canes are Corsi gods, but that's nothing new. Still, we
2. Tampa Bay Lightning should marvel at the fact that Carolina boasts three lines with
a Corsi for percentage over 57.
Previous ranking: 3
9. Washington Capitals
The Lightning, a Stanley Cup favorite, look great defensively.
We'd hate to jinx it, but can they continue to be this good on
Previous ranking: 9
the penalty kill? (They've killed off 97.0 percent of penalties
so far this season). The best Stanley Cup hangover cure? Stars showing up.
From the strange-but-true department: Alex Ovechkin,
3. Colorado Avalanche
Evgeny Kuznetsov, Nicklas Backstrom and John Carlson are
Previous ranking: 11 all scoring 1.63 points per game.
The NHL's newest super power duo, Nathan MacKinnon and 10. New Jersey Devils
Mikko Rantanen, both have 10-game point streaks to begin
Previous ranking: 5
the season. How long can they keep this up?
It's not that we're skeptical that Kyle Palmieri can't sustain
4. Toronto Maple Leafs
his hot start, we just want to point out that with his seven
Previous ranking: 1 goals through the team's first six games, he has a 31.8
shooting percentage.
Even though he has cooled down recently, Matthews is at a
goal-per-game pace. As he jostles with David Pastrnak for 11. Anaheim Ducks
the league lead in goals, the question is how long can the
Previous ranking: 6
young American stay on top?
John Gibson is sporting a 1.93 goals-against average, so say
5. Winnipeg Jets
hello to your early Vezina Trophy front-runner. But the Ducks
Previous ranking: 8 have let Gibson stand on his head by giving up a league-high
294 shots through eight games. That defensive
Josh Morrissey's average ice time is up three minutes from irresponsibility tends to get exposed, eventually..
last season, while he has earned a promotion to the top
power play. Here's the ridiculous stat for Morrissey he might 12. Pittsburgh Penguins
not maintain: 10.1 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-4.
Previous ranking: 13
6. Boston Bruins
The Pens had the league's best power play last season but
Previous ranking: 4 haven't been given the chance to fully capitalize. PittsburghCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
has had only 18 power-play opportunities through seven The goaltending situation is not ideal, but these two numbers
games, which is fewest in the league. stick out like a sore thumb. The Flyers have given up 12
goals in the first period, a league high. The Flyers have given
13. Calgary Flames up 15 goals in the third period, also a league high.
Previous ranking: 14 21. Buffalo Sabres
The Flames have been bailed out a bit lately by good backup Previous ranking: 23
goaltending. David Rittich saved 81 of 85 shots on a two-
game trip. Can he keep up with his .950 save percentage The biggest number for the Sabres right now is five: their win
and 1.83 GAA to relieve Mike Smith this season? total so far. It's only the second time the team has won more
than three games in October over the past seven seasons.
14. Chicago Blackhawks Arrow's pointing up!
Previous ranking: 10 22. Dallas Stars
The demise of the Blackhawks might have been Previous ranking: 17
exaggerated, and an offensive surge is partially to thank.
Chicago leads the league with 28 even-strength goals after As partner to John Klingberg, the 24-year-old Esa Lindell has
finishing last season 20th in that category. Maybe there is taken on a big role in Dallas. He's third in the league with
some gas left in the tank, after all. 21:03 minutes of even-strength ice time per game (trailing
only Kris Letang and Ryan Suter).
15. Columbus Blue Jackets
23. St. Louis Blues
Previous ranking: 12
Previous ranking: 22
Things need to shore up defensively for a team giving up a
league-high 3.51 goals per 60 minutes at even strength. There is plenty that ails St. Louis these days. So perhaps this
Then again, the Blue Jackets weathered the first three weeks stat isn't as damning as it is telling: When the top pairing of
without their No. 1 defenseman, Seth Jones. Alex Pietrangelo and Jay Bouwmeester are on the ice, they
have a goal differential of minus-7. Not great, but there's
16. Montreal Canadiens room for improvement.
Previous ranking: 19 24. Ottawa Senators
The Habs have had a terrific start, even without Shea Weber.
In fact, Weber's partner, Mike Reilly, has formed a great Previous ranking: 24
tandem with Noah Juulsen. They have a plus-8 goal
The Senators may be winning more games than expected,
differential in 121 minutes together. Maybe this team isn't as
but once again they're not a great team in terms of
bad as many pundits suggested.
possession, as their 43.69 Corsi for percentage ranks 28th in
17. Minnesota Wild the league. They've allowed exactly as many goals as
they've allowed, which somehow feels like overachieving.
Previous ranking: 18
25. Edmonton Oilers
Coach Bruce Boudreau recently told his players he wants
them to take more shots, but they also have to limit the Previous ranking: 27
number of shots they're allowing: 36.8 per game, the
The Oilers are too reliant on their star. Connor McDavid has
second-highest mark in the league.
scored or assisted on 72 percent of Edmonton's 18 goals,
18. Vegas Golden Knights leading all NHL forwards with 19:43 even-strength ice time
per game. (Patrick Kane is next closest at 17:51.) He needs
Previous ranking: 21 some help.
The Golden Misfits are trying to recapture the magic of their 26. New York Islanders
first season, as they weather injuries (Paul Stastny) and
suspensions (Nate Schmidt). A league-low 7.1 percent (2- Previous ranking: 25
for-28) power play is one of the biggest areas for
Valtteri Filppula has emerged as an offensive early hero, with
improvement.
four goals in his first eight games. He hasn't scored more
19. Vancouver Canucks than 12 goals since 2014-15. Can he possibly keep this up?
Previous ranking: 16 27. Florida Panthers
The Canucks have played 10 games this season, and seven Previous ranking: 30
were on the road. The fact that they've won four of those
The Panthers haven't looked sharp, and their performance in
games is key to their better-than-expected start. Can this
the second period has been worrisome. They have a minus-
continue?
10 goal differential (eight goals for, 18 against) in the second
20. Philadelphia Flyers frame. That will need to tighten up for them to get back in the
playoffs this season.
Previous ranking: 20 28. Los Angeles KingsCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Previous ranking: 26 Previous ranking: 29
There are some serious offensive woes in Los Angeles, but A trendy sleeper team is sleeping on offense, scoring only
few areas are as troublesome as the power play; the Kings 1.39 goals per 60 minutes at even strength (and 1.75 goals
couldn't connect with the extra man for the first two weeks of per game in general, also a league low). Reinforcements
the season. They're still 0-for-15 in five road games. That might help: Alex Galchenyuk's season debut is imminent.
must (and should) improve.
31. Detroit Red Wings
29. New York Rangers
Previous ranking: 31
Previous ranking: 28
Oh, where to begin with the Red Wings? They have a
The young Blueshirts are firing 33 shots per game, which is
league-worst minus-19 goal differential, as they are giving up
generally a good thing. Their shooting percentage, however,
a league-worst 4.22 goals per game. It'll get better. Or they'll
is one of the league's worst, at 5.33 percent, which explains
have a great shot at landing Jack Hughes next summer.
why they are a bottom-seven team in scoring.
30. Arizona Coyotes
Hurricanes recall Scott Darling from AHL conditioning stint
Daniel Goffenberg The 6-foot-6 netminder parlayed several successful seasons
in Chicago as a backup to Corey Crawford into a four-year,
Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Scott Darling is back with the $16.6-million contract with Carolina in May of 2017, with the
big club. intention of being the starter in Carolina.
Darling missed the start of the season with a lower-body His first season with the Hurricanes was a disaster however,
injury, and was sent down to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers posting a disappointing .888 save percentage in 43 games.
on Monday for a conditioning stint.
The team signed goaltender Petr Mrazek to a one-year
He made 25 saves in a 3-1 win with the Checkers on contract this past summer as insurance, and claimed Curtis
Wednesday, and was recalled by the Hurricanes on McElhinney off of waivers when Darling got hurt ahead of the
Thursday. season.
The 29-year-old has been something of a late bloomer in his With no announced corresponding roster move, it would
career, losing his spot at the Univeristy of Maine due to appear the club is currently carrying three goalies on its NHL
excessive drinking and partying in 2010. roster.
Several years spent bouncing around the lower minors
eventually led to a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Darling returns to Hurricanes as three-headed monster remains in net
By Sean Leahy The Hurricanes were concerned but not overly desperate for
coverage in goal considering they brought in Petr Mrazek
As the Carolina Hurricanes hold their spot atop the over the summer and picked up Curtis McElhinney on
Metropolitan Division they’re about to welcome back a big waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs a day before Darling
piece in goal. was placed on injured reserve. Carolina sits 5-3-1 in the
Following a conditioning stint in AHL Charlotte, Scott Darling division and the pair of goalies have combined for a .916
has been recalled one day before their game against the San even strength save percentage through nine games.
Jose Sharks. No one was placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on
Darling made one start in the AHL, stopping 25 of 26 shots Thursday meaning they will stick with three goaltenders on
during a 3-1 victory on Wednesday. It was his first start in the roster for time being. It’s not a long-term decision
goal since suffering a lower-body injury during the team’s considering how well the team’s been playing, but at some
final preseason game on Sept. 30. Considering he hasn’t point a move will have to be made one way or another. For
played in nearly a month, the stint in Charlotte was part of now, Brind’Amour is leaving that up to general manager Don
the recovery process, allowing him to face shots again and Waddell.
mentally prepare himself for an NHL return. It’s going to be an important season for Darling. His first year
“It’s just encouraging that he got through it and felt good in Carolina was forgettable as he posted an .897 ESSV% in
about his game, team felt good about it,” said head coach 43 appearances in 2017-18. An injury to start this season
Rod Brind’Amour on Thursday. “He can put that all behind wasn’t ideal, but being eased into a situation to grab back the
him now, get back up here and get ready to go.” reins of the No. 1 job could be the plan to get his game back.
Brind’Amour didn’t say when Darling would start, leaving it at
“soon.”
NHL Power Rankings: Who's for real so far? Beware of Predators and Lightning
Nashville returns to No. 1 in our latest rundown of all 31 NHL And yet, with a few weeks of this season in the books, it is a
teams little easier to figure out a few of these so-called
"contenders." For example: The Nashville Predators, who
by Cody Benjamin return to No. 1 in our latest edition of Power Rankings, are
We're almost finished with our first month of the 2018-19 about as real as they come. Their depth has never been
NHL season, so it's finally becoming obvious just which doubted, but now they're also touting a second starting-
teams are contenders and pretenders. caliber goalie in Pekka Rinne replacement Juuse Saros. The
Tampa Bay Lightning, meanwhile, don't even have Steven
Just kidding. Stamkos scoring at a high rate and look like the dominant
If you've followed hockey for even one season, you know force we expected them to be. On the flip side, if anyone
that standings can change in just a few weeks' time, let alone figured the Los Angeles Kings would be back in the playoffs,
over the course of the year. Presidents' Trophy winners often they sure don't look like the safest bet after a slow -- literally,
start hot and stay steady until the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but slow -- start.
it's rare if the muddled middle of the pack doesn't feature a We've got it all in this week's pecking order. Risers, like the
whole lot of movement along the way. Zach Parise-powered Minnesota Wild. Fallers, like the Dallas
Stars, who can't seem to get much production outside ofCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
their dangerous first line. And one 31-team picture of how the
NHL season is shaping up:
Biggest Movers Penguins Reminder: Matt Murray is good. Sidney Crosby
hasn't even begun to get going, so their rebound is extra
16 Wild impressive.
11 Stars
6 5-1
Rk
9
Teams
Capitals The defense is concerning, sure, but they're also
Chg scoring more than anyone in the league.
Rcrd
-- 4-3
1
10
Predators If Juuse Saros takes Pekka Rinne's job while the
latter is hurt, that's an amazing problem for Nashville to Wild Zach Parise is on fire. They started on an awful note,
have. but three straight wins has them rolling even against top
competition.
1 8-2
16 5-2
2
11
Lightning And Steven
Stamkos hasn't even hit his stride yet. Canadiens It seems wrong to put them this high, but that's
because of preseason expectations. Everything is generally
4 6-1 going well, and Shea Weber will be back.
3 2 5-2
Avalanche How can you ignore that top line? You can't. It's 12
not only Nathan MacKinnon right now. Few teams are hotter.
Hurricanes They had a very tough week, and a win over
5 6-2 Detroit hardly means much. But Sebastian Aho and Micheal
Ferland still give them juice.
4
8 5-3
Maple Leafs Two straight losses don't look good, but Auston
Matthews is playing lights out. Their talent will right the ship. 13
3 7-3 Sharks This week is the real test, and they should have Joe
Thornton back. But any winning streak helps after their start.
5
5 5-3
Jets Don't look now, but they can play defense, too! The only
thing keeping them from jumping higher is the fact that two of 14
their last three wins came against bottom-of-the-barrel
competition. Golden Knights Welcome back, Marc-Andre Fleury. Now
let's get you some help on the offensive end of the ice.
5 6-3
13 4-4
6
15
Bruins Rough week for the Bruins, and they need depth to
step up behind that first line. That first line, though? Killer. Devils So much for that lock-down defense to open the year.
Still, Cory Schneider should return soon.
3 6-2
10 4-2
7
16
Flames You don't beat Boston by accident, and can we even
hold a loss to the Preds against them? With Travis Hamonic Ducks If this were based solely on John Gibson's
on the mend, they'll get even better. performance, they'd be top 10, easily.
8 5-5 9 5-5
8 17CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Oilers It's alive! It's alive! Connor McDavid is still pretty much
doing it all, but beating Boston and Winnipeg proves they're 3 3-4
not dead yet.
25
11 4-3 Blues Jake Allen is going to be the focal point of Blues
18 discussion all season, isn't he?
Blue Jackets As long as Artemi Panarin and Sergei 1 2-4
Bobrovsky are producing, they'll be in games. Seth Jones
coming back certainly helps. 26
Panthers The best thing about their last week was that both
1 5-4 losses came in overtime. Sooner or later, they'll pick it up.
19
3 2-3
Senators OK, no more ignoring them. What's going on?
Thomas Chabot and a bunch of little-known names 27
producing, that's what! Flyers There are holes across the board. Not enough
offense. Not enough goalie stability (again). Insert at-least-
6 4-3 Gritty-is-great joke.
20
5 4-6
Blackhawks Good to see Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews
back to doing what they do. And Corey Crawford will aid 28
them in the net. Rangers Heck, what a great week they had. Behind Henrik
Lundqvist, they upset the Avs, pushed the Caps to OT and
8 6-2 then lost to a hot Flames team. That's good stuff considering
21 the rebuild.
Sabres Their up-and-coming talent should have them chippy 2 3-6
all year. Jack Eichel and Jeff Skinner are a fun duo.
29
5 6-4 Kings Yikes. Old, slow and
22 streaking in the wrong direction.
Stars Like Boston, they've got an awesome first line, but they 9 2-7
need help beyond that.
30
11 5-4 Coyotes If you've only scored 11
23 goals in seven games, that's a problem.
Canucks To sneak out wins against Boston and Pittsburgh is 1 4-5
an accomplishment for a unit missing Elias Pettersson.
31
6 6-5 Red Wings A minus-19 goal
24 differential is an even bigger problem.
Islanders Just read the names on their top line, and you'll -- 1-6
see why it's going to be hard for them to get out of the
bottom 10 all season.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Roundtable: Who Is the Most Impressive Rookie?
The SI Staff Eric Single: Andrei Svechnikov’s first nine NHL games are
best consumed with a steady stream of reminders that
whatever he’s doing on the ice, he is doing as an 18-year-
The NHL is quickly becoming a younger man's league, and old. (The Hurricanes’ home broadcast is only too happy to
the 2018 rookie class fits in that trend. The SI NHL staff oblige when it comes to those reminders, by the way.) You
debates which youngster is the most exciting to watch. can see the instinctive feel for the offensive end of the ice in
his two goals and two assists so far, and from there it’s easy
The youths are here. to imagine how quickly he can put everything together once
This season’s class rookies garnered quite the hype over the he gets his sea legs. Chalk up the team-leading 10 penalty
summer and in the first few weeks of the season, it has not minutes to an on-ice awareness adjustment everyone makes
disappointed. No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin is thriving on a at different speeds. Carolina is going to continue to reap the
rejuvenated Sabres team, Andrei Svechnikov is right in the rewards of throwing him into the fire.
mix of a surprising Hurricanes team, and Elias Pettersson Dan Falkenheim: On a team with blue-line stalwarts Duncan
was on a crazy streak before being sidelined by a Keith and Brent Seabrook, Henri Jokiharju plays with poise
concussion. beyond his experience. The 19-year-old Finnish defenseman
Now that we’ve gotten to see how the youngsters have tallied five assists in his first three games (and added a sixth
adjusted to playing in the NHL, the SI NHL staff discusses: on Thursday), and is logging an average 20:44 of ice time.
Which rookie has been the most impressive so far? He passes the eye test, the stats test (Jokiharju leads the
team in CF%) and, most importantly, the Joel Quenneville
Jeremy Fuchs: Injury notwithstanding, it’s pretty clear that test (Quenneville slotted the rookie into the team’s ailing
Elias Pettersson has been the best rookie thus far. In five power play). While he doesn’t have the hype of Rasmus
games played, he has five goals and three assists for the Dahlin, Jokiharju has established himself as part of the
Canucks. That’s ridiculous for a 19-year-old in his debut Blackhawks’ rejuvenated young core and is here to stay.
month. He’s also very clearly the top option on the team. The
worry, obviously, is the concussion. He did not play Thursday Kristen Nelson: It’s nearly impossible to talk about the 2018
against Arizona, but is travelling with the team. Hopefully, rookies and not mention Rasmus Dahlin. The defenseman
he’s back in the lineup soon, and getting back to his has one goal and three assists in his first 10 games, which
impressive ways. isn’t quite as exciting as Lajoie’s or Jokiharju’s numbers, but
it’s Dahlin’s poise that impresses me. The 18-year-old
Emily Caron: Maxime Lajoie takes the cake for this one. He already looks so comfortable on the blue line. Not only is the
was an immediate impact player for the Senators, scoring in Swede adjusting to the NHL (in a tough Atlantic division no
his NHL debut (then nabbed a second point with an assist less), but he’s also adjusting to, ya know, living in the U.S.
just four minutes later) and went on to notch four goals and for the first time. Phil Housley is being sure not to overwhelm
three assists through his first six NHL games. Lajoie’s Dahlin (he averages about 19 minutes of ice time), but I
production has stalled the last two games after his red-hot expect his game to grow as he gains more opportunities.
start, but the rookie defenseman should pick the pace back
up as soon as Ottawa's young team finds its rhythm.CAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
Hurricanes Recall Scott Darling
Written by Nicholas Niedzielski with Wednesday night in Utica and picked up the win in his
first AHL game since 2015.
Scott Darling’s conditioning stint is over as the Hurricanes
have recalled the netminder from Charlotte. The Hurricanes return to action Friday with a home contest
In his first game action since suffering an injury in the against the Sharks.
preseason, Darling stopped 25 of the 26 shots he was faced
TODAY’S LINKS
: https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article220617985.html#storylink=cpy
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/gameday-preview-san-jose-sharks-carolina-hurricanes/c-301297922
https://www.nhl.com/hurricanes/news/canes-still-slot-high-in-power-rankings/c-301278824
https://www.canescountry.com/2018/10/26/18026296/carolina-hurricanes-san-jose-sharks-game-preview-statistics-notes-links
https://www.canescountry.com/2018/10/25/18020354/metropolitan-division-weekly-roundup-pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-
hurricanes
https://www.canescountry.com/2018/10/25/18022652/carolina-hurricanes-scott-darling-ahl-conditioning-stint-charlotte-checkers
https://theathletic.com/613109/2018/10/25/zach-boychuk-is-following-you-on-twitter-too-theres-actually-a-story-behind-that/
http://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/25075793/nhl-power-rankings-week-3-unsustainable-early-statistics-improve-decline
https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/hurricanes-recall-scott-darling-ahl-conditioning-stint/
https://nhl.nbcsports.com/2018/10/25/darling-returns-to-hurricanes-as-three-headed-monster-remains-in-net/
https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/nhl-power-rankings-whos-for-real-so-far-beware-of-predators-and-lightning/
https://sports.yahoo.com/roundtable-most-impressive-rookie-044944436.html
http://gocheckers.com/articles/transactions/hurricanes-recall-scott-darlingCAROLINA HURRICANES
NEWS CLIPPINGS • October 26, 2018
1111976 Carolina Hurricanes
By Craig Custance Oct 25, 2018
Canes recall goalie Scott Darling from Checkers
It happened again on Wednesday. One of the small circle Twitter avatars
that recently gave me a follow looked interesting. The avatar was a
BY CHIP ALEXANDER mugshot of Jim Rutherford, a curious enough picture to warrant a mouse-
over in search of more information.
The Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday recalled goalie Scott Darling from In this case, the short investigation revealed that this wasn’t, in fact, the
his conditioning stint with the Charlotte Checkers of the AHL. Penguins GM. It was a follower named CarolinaChirp, an account that
has a grand total of nine tweets and one follower.
Darling, activated off NHL injured reserve on Monday, had 25 saves in
the Checkers’ 3-1 win Wednesday over the Utica Comets and allowed The one follower? Zach Boychuk.
the goal late in the game in Utica. N.Y. Of course.
Canes coach Rod Brind’Amour said Thursday he did not see the game or It’s a fun game. Randomly scan followers on a hockey Twitter account
video of Darling’s play in the game, saying, “I got all the updates and it and count just how many of them Boychuk, a veteran of 127 career NHL
sounded like it went pretty well for him. It’s encouraging he got through it games and now playing in the KHL, currently follows on Twitter.
and feels good about his game and the team felt good about it. He can
put that all behind him now and get back up here and get ready to go.” Hold on, I’ll do it right now on my account.
Brind’Amour said he was not sure when Darling would make his first The most recent person to follow me on Twitter is named Denim
start, saying, “Obviously soon. We’ll get him up, get him in the groove of Chicken. Yep, Boychuk follows the account. Boychuk is one of five
everything and then make our decision.” followers for this account that is a “roasted chicken that wears jeans,”
according to its bio.
The Canes host the San Jose Sharks on Friday and the New York
Islanders on Sunday. Petr Mrazek was the Canes’ starter Monday in a 3- Moving down the recent follows list — Boychuk is the only follower of an
1 road win over the Detroit Red Wings. account called Pukki Ucco. He’s one of two followers for Andrew. One of
11 for Creamy Freshness. And on it goes.
Darling, who lost 25 pounds in the offseason, was sharp throughout most
of preseason training camp but suffered a lower-body injury in the Canes’ Once you notice the Zach Boychuk phenomenon, it’s hard not to look for
final preseason game Sept. 30 against the Nashville Predators. He was it. At last count, Boychuk’s Twitter account followed 867,990 people (and
placed on injured reserve Oct. 3 and the Canes claimed goalie Curtis chickens). The number of followers he has on his account is even higher
McElhinney off waivers from the Toronto Maple Leafs. — he recently passed the 895,000 follower mark.
McElhinney has a 3-1-0 record in four starts with a 2.76 goals-against To give that number some perspective, Auston Matthews is only
average and .892 save percentage. Mrazek is 2-2-1 with a 2.64 GAA and managing 162,000 followers. Connor McDavid is doing a little better at
.888 save percentage. 337,000. Add in Hart Trophy winner Taylor Hall’s 510,000 followers and
put them all together and they finally can pass Boychuk as a group.
“(Darling) is obviously healthy now, so we can leave that question
behind,’” Brind’Amour said. “Now we just have to figure out who’s the Boychuk, and his Twitter feed of life observations, hockey highlights and
best guy to go and get us a win (Friday).” plugs for his sponsors, is a social media powerhouse. And it comes from
an unlikely source.
Brind’Amour said he wasn’t sure how management would handle having
three goalies on the roster, saying, “I don’t think that’s the plan but that’s HAPPY LEFT HANDERS DAY! GOTTA REPRESENT!
one of those decisions that are kind of out of my hands. The good news #LEFTHANDERSDAY PIC.TWITTER.COM/GXLVFME9OO
is we like all three of them. That’s a pretty good problem to have.”
— ZACH BOYCHUK (@ZACHBOYCHUK) AUGUST 13, 2018
Brind’Amour said he relies on goaltending coach Mike Bales in making
the decisions on how the goalies are slotted into games. Boychuk hasn’t played in the NHL since the 2014-15 season with the
Carolina Hurricanes. His most recent season in North America came the
News Observer LOADED: 10.26.2018 following year, split between Charlotte and Bakersfield.
He has spent the past three seasons playing in the KHL, this year with
Cherepovets where he has four points in 22 games. Not necessarily the
1111977 Carolina Hurricanes guy you’d expect to have one of the most popular hockey Twitter
accounts around.
Zach Boychuk is following you on Twitter, too? There’s actually a story “Yeah, it’s pretty crazy,” Boychuk told The Athletic. “It started probably
behind that five or six years ago.”You can also read
