NEW YORK This win was three years in the making for backup goalie Ray Emery and the rest of the Philadelphia Flyers.Emery stood in again for injured No. 1 netminder Steve Mason and made 31 saves to help the Flyers rally from an early two-goal deficit and beat the New York Rangers 4-2 on Sunday to even the first-round playoff series.The Flyers had lost nine straight at Madison Square Garden, including 4-1 in the series opener on Thursday, since their last win there on Feb. 20, 2011. Emery hadn't won a postseason game anywhere in exactly three years for Anaheim at Nashville."I try to stay even-keeled, whether it's going well or you don't get off to the start you want," the 31-year-old Emery said. "I play with a system in there, and I just kind of rely
Carlos Zambrano Jersey on that. I've had leads before and I've been down before so it's just kind of a consistent approach."Luke Schenn scored the go-ahead goal in the second period after Jakub Voracek and Jason Akeson got the Flyers even at 2. Wayne Simmonds sealed the win with a power-play, empty-net goal.Now the Flyers head home, where they went 2-0 against the Rangers in the regular season. Game 3 is on Tuesday.Philadelphia no longer has to hear about its skid in New York in which the Flyers were outscored 35-10 and never had more than two goals in any game."That's a huge weight off our shoulders, to come in here and get the split," Schenn said. "Going back home, we feel a bit better about ourselves."Voracek brought the Flyers within 2-1 in the first after Martin St. Louis and Benoit Pouliot staked New York to its lead. Emery did the rest, looking especially sharp in the second and third periods.Henrik Lundqvist stopped 21 shots after a 14-save winning effort in the opener."They came back pretty strong late in the first,
Kosuke Fukudome Jersey and then in the second period a lot better," Lundqvist said. "Going into the third we felt confident we could tie it.The tide turned in the second when the Flyers caught up and went ahead despite being outshot 17-9.Rangers coach Alain Vigneault called that period his team's best of the day."The game can be funny sometimes," he said. "We had some Grade A chances. Our power play had some great looks. They scored two and we didn't."Akeson tied it with a power-play goal 5:45 in off a rebound of Brayden Schenn's shot for his second career NHL tally.It was a day of redemption for the 23-year-old Akeson, playing his fourth NHL game. His double high-sticking penalty in Game 1 led to two Rangers goals that turned a 1-1 game into a 3-1 deficit in the third.
Steve Cishek Jersey Flyers coach Craig Berube didn't consider benching him for Game 2."Should I sit out everybody that takes a penalty?" Berube asked. "I understand he took a four-minute penalty, but he played well. It was a mistake, and you have to learn from them. He's a good player."Philadelphia grabbed its second lead of the series with 8:42 left in the second during a delayed penalty. Michael Raffl brought the puck in on the right side and got it to Adam Hall for a shot. Luke Schenn then put in the rebound.The Rangers' chance for a comeback was thwarted by a penalty for too many men with 1:18 left that led to Simmonds' goal with 25.4 seconds remaining.Unlike in Game 1, the Flyers had the puck much more often and did a better job of closing off the Rangers' pa sing lanes after the early deficit.However, they continued their undisciplined ways that cost them in the opener. The Flyers killed their first penalty after Simmonds held Ryan McDonagh in the offensive
Adbert Alzolay Jersey zone at 1:04, but they allowed one power-play goal and were short-handed three times in the first.Overall, the Flyers killed five of six power plays.New York took a 1-0 lead at 4:08 after a crisp pa sing sequence. Rick Nash came in with speed on the left side and moved the puck into the middle to Derek Stepan, who sent a pa s into the right circle to St. Louis for a one-timer he punctuated with a fist pump.St. Louis, who had only one goal and seven a sists with the Rangers in 19 regular-season games after being acquired from Tampa Bay, scored at the Garden for the first time
Baez El Mago Jersey since the trade for former captain Ryan Callahan. St. Louis has a goal and two a sists in this series.The Rangers made it 2-0 at 8:22 with their third power-play goal in two games.More precision pa sing in the Philadelphia end by Mats Zuccarello and Derick Bra sard set up another one-timer from the right side, this time by Pouliot, who got enough of the puck to put it past Emery.The Flyers got one back on a strong move by Voracek, who skated around defenseman Ryan McDonagh on the backhand and tucked in a forehand with 5:46 left.
The difference in the league's top two teams is razor thin, but this week theBlues take
Daniel Ponce De Leon Jersey advantage of theLightning losing two in a row to leapfrog Tampa Bay into the top spot in our power rankings.Keep an eye on the Islanders, Predators and Golden Knights, who all move up the list, and on the Senators, Ducks and Canucks, who head the opposite direction.Here is thecomplete breakdown of Sporting News'NHL power rankings for Week 8.PREVIOUS POWER RANKINGS: | || | | | NHL Power Rankings 8.01. St. Louis Blues17-6-1, 35pts(last week: 2)Back on top of the rankings after winning fourof five. Currentlyranked fifth among all teams both in team offense and defense.2. Tampa Bay Lightning17-5-2, 36pts(last week: 1)Snapped two-game skid with 2-0 shutout win over Sabres on Tuesday. Lost consecutive games only once this season. Second-highest scoring team in league with fourth-ranked defense.3. Toronto Maple Leafs16-9-1, 33pts (last week: 3)Started three-game trek to western Canada with 4-1 win in Calgary Tuesday. That comes after losing two of previous three.REPORT CARD:4. Winnipeg Jets15-6-4, 34pts (last week: 4)Spotted the Wild a 2-0 lead Monday then dropped seven straight goals on them. Ooofff. How about rookie Kyle Connor? Quietly with 15 points in 19 games, coming off first three-point game of his career.5. Columbus Blue Jackets16-8-1, 33pts (last week: 5)Won seven of last eight and got a victoryout of seldom-used backup goalie Joonas
Yadier Molina Jersey Korpisalo Tuesday night.METRO MAYHEM:6. Nashville Predators15-6-3, 33pts(last week: 7)In last 12 games have 10wins, one OT lo s and one regulation defeat. Safe to say, the Preds are rolling in the month of November.7. New York Islanders15-7-2, 32pts (last week: 9)Islanders have won four straight and seven of eight. Scored five goals or more in two of their last three and 11 times overall this season.8. Pittsburgh Penguins13-10-3, 29pts(last week: 6)Matt Murray injury really will test the defending champs. Rookies Tristan Jarry and Casey DeSmith step between the pipes.9. New Jersey Devils14-6-4, 32pts (last week: 8)Resilient Devils lost first one-goal game in regulation (9-1-4) Monday in 3-2 defeat at hands of Panthers. Brian Boyle fittingly scored a goal on Hockey Fights Cancer nightFriday.MORE:10. Vegas Golden Knights15-7-1, 31pts (last week: 15)More than a quarter ofthe way through the season, the expansion Golden Knights sit in first place in the Pacific Division. How about Bruins castoff Malcolm Subban? He is 4-1-0in five starts with a 2.09 GAA and .928 save percentage. His only lo s (Tuesday) came when the other goalie shut out Vegas.11. San Jose Sharks13-8-2, 28pts (last week: 11)Won three of last four, surrendering only two goals in those three victories. Have three more games remaining on four-game road trip. Sharks are 6-2-1 on road this season.12. Washington Capitals14-10-1, 29pts (last week: 12)Riding three-game winning streak and coming off impre sive 4-2 victory over Maple Leafs on Saturday. Incredibly, still own a minus-1goal differential on the season. Not so incredibly, Alex Ovechkin leads NHL with 18 goals in 25 games, including five in his last three games.MORE: 13. New York Rangers13-10-2, 28pts (last week: 13)Threw away their four-game winning streak and eight-game run on home ice with terrible defensive play throughout5-4 lo s to Panthers Tuesday. Mika Zibanejad is now hurt, though Ryan McDonagh could return from four-game absence Friday.14. Los Angeles Kings14-8-3, 31pts (last week: 14)Did you see that Jonathan Quick save in 4-1 win over Red Wings Tuesday? Two-time Cup winner has 2.28 GAA and .929 save percentage this season.15. Calgary Flames13-10-1, 27pts (last week: 10)Second-worst PK in the league nearly offset
Vince Coleman Jersey by 10th-ranked power play. Musical chairs with backup goalies behind Mike Smith as Eddie Lack is waived.RECORD CARD: 16. Chicago Blackhawks12-9-3, 27pts(last week: 19)Rookie Alex DeBrincat recorded . Patrick Kane sure looked happy to set up that third goal, didn't he?17.Dallas Stars13-10-1, 27pts (last week: 22), Ben Bishop 34-save shutout in Tuesday's 3-0 win over Vegas.18. Vancouver Canucks11-10-4, 26pts (last week: 16)One more game to go on long six-game road trip. Started with pair of wins, now 2-2-1 on the trip.19. Detroit Red Wings10-10-5, 25pts (last week: 20)Special teams are a boon. NHL's fourth-best PK and eighth-ranked PP.MORE: 20. Minnesota Wild11-10-3, 25pts (last week: 18)Lost two straight and four of last six.21. Carolina Hurricanes10-8-5, 25pts (last week: 23)Special teams costing 'Canes points in close games. Third-worst PK and 10th-worst power play.MORE: 22. Boston Bruins11-8-4, 26pts(last week: 26)David Backes,Brad Marchand, Ryan Spponer are finally back in the Bruins' lineup. However, David Krejci and Jake Debrusk are now sidelined with injuries.23. Ottawa Senators8-8-6, 22pts (last week: 17)What is worse than their current
Justin Williams Jersey six-game winle s streak (0-5-1)? The fact that the Senators embark on a two-week, seven-game road trip this week.24. Colorado Avalanche12-9-2, 26pts (last week: 24)The Avs are seventh in team offense, eighth-worst in team defense. Need to keep outscoring their mistakes.AWARDS WATCH: 25. Edmonton Oilers10-13-2, 22pts(last week: 25)Won two straight, three of four. Baby steps. But steps in the right direction nonethele s.26. Montreal Canadiens11-12-3, 20pts (last week: 28)The vibe sure changes quickly in Montreal when Carey Price returns from injury absence and plays great, allowing only one goal, in back-to-back victories.27. Anaheim Ducks11-10-4, 26pts (last week: 21)Rickard Rackell joins the ma sive Anaheim injury list. The Ducks have lost 143 man-games already to injury. Returns of Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler and Patrick Eaves not even on horizon.28. Florida Panthers10-12-2, 22pts (last week: 29)Good
Rangel Ravelo Jersey road win in New Jersey Monday. Followed that up with opportunistic 5-4 win at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday. Offense finally waking up?MORE: 29. PhiladelphiaFlyers8-10-7, 20pts (last week: 27)Booed off home ice Tuesday as winle s streak reaches nine (0-4-5)30. Buffalo Sabres6-15-4, 16pts (last week: 30)Shut out last two after 3-1 win over Oile
Whether the NHL keeps playing in the Olympics is anyone's gue s, at this point. The league stands to make a lot more money on a World Cup of hockey, but the exposure of the Winter Games can't be ignored.The good news,
Blank Jersey though: Women's hockey isn't going anywhere,
Matt Szczur Jersey according to IHHF president Rene Fasel. The United States and Canada are heads, shoulders, waists and knees above everyone else in that branch of the sport, and . U.S. women's team: Not so, Fasel said. "That will never happen," he said. "I can guarantee that will never happen."Hopefully, he's right. It's important for women
Adam Jones Jersey here and everywhere else.The U.S. and Canada will play for the gold medal on Thursday, three days after Team USA outshot Sweden 70-9 in the semifinals.:"I think it's much better than it was in Vancouver," Fasel said. "We
Yasmany Tomas Jersey started in Vancouver with 17-0 Canada-Slovak game. We have 80,000 girls playing in Canada, and we have maybe 4,000 or 4,500 playing in Finland, maybe 2,000 in Sweden and in Switzerland and Ru sia if we have 2,000 girls playing that would be a lot.""It's much better, but we are not there and we
Andrew Chafin Jersey can see the result."And as for the men: Fasel and NHL commi sioner Gary Bettman were addre sing the media together in Sochi, and they said nothing of substance. Save yourself the time, .
The Blackhawks signed defenseman Brent Seabrook to an eight-year extension worth
Jeff Bagwell Jersey $54.8 million, Saturday.Seabrook, 30, won his third Stanley Cup with Chicago last season and was entering the final year
Aledmys Diaz Jersey of a five-year, $29 million deal, which carried a $5.8 million salary cap hit.MORE: The 2015 All-Star scored eight goals in 82 regular-season
Andy Pettitte Jersey games last season, then added
Robinson Chirinos Jersey seven goals and four a sists in 23 postseason games. The Blackhawks selected him 14th overall in the first
Gerrit Cole Jersey round of the 2003NHL Draft.Seabrook was named an alternate captain after Patrick Sharp was traded to theStarsduring the offseason.
Evander Kane was under arrest Friday for incidents related to a bar scuffle last month.Kane,
Andrew Heaney Jersey 24, a Sabres forward, was seen meeting with his lawyers and then being placed in handcuffs before being taken into custody, .MORE: Kane
Blank Jersey is charged with criminal trespa s and four counts of non-criminal hara sment.He is accused of grabbing a woman's throat and pulling her hair, and then trying to push her into a car while she was with her two friends outside
Cody Allen Jersey a Buffalo bar on June 24. The bar's bouncer told Kane to stop, but Kane allegedly put his hands on the bouncer in retaliation.The trespa sing charge stems from Kane refusing to leave the bar.According to sources with The News, the incident was caught on tape.Kane surrendered to police on Friday, and his
Garrett Richards Jersey lawyer said Kane maintains his innocence and plans to fight the charges.When asked if he expects Kane to remain on the Sabres, his lawyer
J. C. Ramirez Jersey responded, "Why not? These are minor, non-criminal charges. The trespa s is a non-violent property allegation."
Gabriel Landeskog did something cool on Thursday night -- he won a fight
Darryl Strawberry Jersey without fighting.Landeskog's Colorado Avalanche beat the Boston Bruins 2-0; at the end of the second period, he let Boston winger Milan Lucic shove him in
Wilmer Flores Jersey the face, which earned Lucic a 10-minute misconduct. Landeskog had grabbed Lucic during a scrum.MORE: | After the game, naturally, the discu sion turned to whether Landeskog is a wimp, or whatever. (It's 10 days into the season, and this is already exhausting. Also, he's not.)He won the game, though,
Jacob DeGrom Jersey and his response to a Twitter troll was pretty great.Some more out of the aftermath -
Jay Bruce Jersey - including his coach, who has his back.Milan Lucic if he lost respect for Gabriel Landeskog tonight: "If that's the way he wants to play then that's his choice.
Matt Harvey Jersey I was fired up" Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) "I don't believe fighting is that important for our game" RT : Patrick Roy on Lucic-Landeskog confrontation Corey Pronman (@coreypronman)
Can't get enough NHL rumors? Lyle Richardson's serves as a one-stop guide to the latest rumblings around the league. The Oilers' disappointingseason has sparked speculation over what move general manager Peter Chiarelli might make to get his club back on track. With the NHL Draft weekend (June 22-23) fast approaching
Nick Markakis Jersey and the trade rumors churning, there's talk he could be quietly shopping left wing Milan Lucic.Signed as a free agent in 2016, Lucic played a key role in helping Edmontonendits 11-year playoff drought in 2017. This season, however, the 30-year-old power forward's production slipped from 50 points to 34. He also seemed to struggle against quicker opponents.NHL DRAFT 2018: | Lucic's contract could be a sticking point. He carries an annual average salary of $6 million through 2022-23, along with a full no-movement clause.Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman Lucic appears to be working with management to determine his trade value. He said
Babe Ruth Jersey there's no basis to rumors claiming the winger asked to be dealt.TSN's Frank Seravalli the Oilers aretalking to teams about Lucic, saying they could be willing to take back another contract or perhaps package Lucic with another player or a draft pick.If the Oilers decline to take back a toxic contract, interested parties could insist they absorb part of Lucic's annual cap hit. Teams are allowed to retain up to 50 percent of a player's annual cap hit.Despite concerns over Lucic's contract and production, the Edmonton Journal's David Staples feels the Oilers could find a trade partner. He suggested some NHL general managers still value size, toughne s and previous performance.MORE:Staples' colleague Jim Mathesonis skeptical, however, suggesting the only way the Oilers can move Lucic and include a draft pick or prospect as a sweetener.The Canadiens and Canucks reportedly tried to sign Lucic two years ago. Mathias Brunet of La Pre se the Canadiens propose taking the big winger off Edmonton's hands provided they agree to package him with their first-round pick (10th overall) in this year's draft. Staples, however, .Teams with the cap space to absorb Lucic's contract include the Coyotes,Hurricanes,Devils,Islanders,Rangers,Canucks and Golden Knights. It remains to be seen if any of those club have interest in
John Smoltz Jersey Lucic or if they're on his list of preferred trade destinations.2018 UFARANKINGS: | | Capitals face big decision on John CarlsonWhile the Capitals are in the midst of celebrating their Stanley Cup championship, GM Brian MacLellan won't have much time to enjoy it as he faces a big decision regarding the future of defenseman John Carlson.A nine-year Capitals veteran, the 28-year-old Carlson is slated to become an unrestricted free agentJuly 1. He led all NHL defensemen with a career-high 63 points in the regular season and 20 during the playoffs.Carlson, completing a six-year, $23.8 million contract,is due for a significant pay raise. He'll command at least $8 million on the open market, . Potential suitors would include the Golden Knights, who fell in five games to the Capitals in the Stanley Cup Final.Re-siging Carlson could affect the Capitals' efforts to re-sign their other free agents. They currently have over $63 million invested in
Chipper Jones Jersey 16 players.Defenseman Michal Kempny and center Jay Beagle are also UFA eligible, while backup goaltender Philipp Grubauer and forwards
Greg Maddux Jersey Tom Wilson and Devante Smith-Pelly are restricted free agents with arbitration rights.Even with the salary cap projected to reach $80 million for 2018-19, MacLellan won't have much wiggle room. A suming it costs $8 million to keep Carlson in the fold, the Capitals GM will have le s than $9 million to re-sign or replace his other free agents.A cost-cutting trade or two might be in order. ESPN.com's Emily Kaplan suggestedshopping winger Andre Burakovsky, who has a year remaining on his contract with a $3 million cap hit. Another option could be buying out the final season of defenseman Brooks Orpik 's contract. Related Articles NHL trade rumors 2018: Erik Karl son, Phil Ke sel top list of po sible players on the move
Before the Winnipeg Jets moved ahead and on Monday, the club's braintrust sought the consul of team captain Blake Wheeler. And before Stastny waived his no-trade clause, he, too, first spoke with Wheeler.So, it can be argued that Wheeler's biggest a sist of the season did not even take place on the ice."I was more of a sounding board," offered Wheeler following practice.However, Jets coach Paul Maurice said Wheeler played a
Pat O'Donnell Jersey much bigger role than that."Having Blake have a relationship with (Stastny) -- and with what we feel about Blake, knowing what he values -- was important," explained Maurice. "(Wheeler) was just very direct, very excited when (Stastny's) name came up. 'This guy will fit, this guy will be great'. That was the most important thing -- you want to being in a guy who's going to be great in the room."MORE: Jets take center stage after acquiring Paul Stastny from BluesWheeler and
Eddie Jackson Jersey Stastny played in Munich together during the 2012-13 lockout. Their history also dates back to tournaments played together with Team USA. The relationship between two of the more respected p layers in the NHL is a solid one. And now Wheeler and Stastny are teammates in Winnipeg."When I first heard thiswas apo sibility, I was really excited," Wheeler told reporters. "The type guy he is, the type player he is, I'm really excited. As a friend, I was happy to answer any questions, but I wasn't going to swing it one way or the other."The 32-year-old Stastny had12 goals, 28 a sists and 40 points in 63 games this season for the Blues, who lost six straight games to plummet out of a playoff spot heading into the NHL's trade deadline.MORE: NHL Trade Rumors: Live news, updates, gradeson 2018 deadline dayIn 805 career games, Stastny has 216 goals
William Perry Jersey and 633 points. He also has 35 points in 55 career post-season matches."Great faceoff guy; great defensively; he's put up big numbers in his career; just a guy who's a really special player," was Wheeler's scouting report on Stastny.Added Maurice, "He fits our game, how we tryto play, covers a lot of areas -- faceoffs, penalty killing, power play, that has played against other teams' best for an awful lot of years
Kyle Fuller Jersey . Plus he's got great on-ice vision and creativity."So, we got a guy we can move around and play with a lot of different people. He's a versatile player. He's a very astute player...a student of the game...he understands the game...never cheats the game."The Jets are now extremely deep down the middle with Mark Scheifele, Bryan Little and Stastny. Though Maurice would not say, speculation centers on Stastny skating in between dynamic wings Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers.Winnipeg stands in second place in the Central Division with 83 points, two behind the Nashville Predators. They are also only three points in arrears of the Vegas Golden Knights for the top spot in the Western Conference.So,
Mike Singletary Jersey does Monday's trade mean the Jets are all-in to win the Stanley Cup this spring?"We've been all-in, all year, even in training camp you could see the veteran guys were ready to take a step and our young guys were ready, as well," said Wheeler.Added Ehlers, "The me sage is (we) want to win it this year. We said that at the start of the year, and getting (Stastny) says exactly the same."
So rarely in the NHL does a superstar talentsuch as John Tavares reach free agency
Andre Burakovsky Jersey that, when it actually happened Sunday, it was hard to wrap your head around the sheer spectacle of Tavares Watch and all its glory, however brief.For a fleeting hour, the hockey world held its breath with each clue, the now-former Islanders captainfree to sign with any one of the 31 teams he most desired. And after more than a week of deliberating locales, line combinations and championship appeal, above five other finalists, joining acity and its prodigal son in their mutual pursuit of an elusive Stanley Cup.TRACKER: As much as Maple Leafs fans Tavares among them as a boy had been wishing for this homecoming the last two years, the Islanders were dreading it. For a while, it looked as though new hockey czar Lou Lamoriellocould do no wrong, hiring a championship-winning coach . Then it all changed in an instant.Accordingly, the Maple Leafs and Islanders wound up on opposite sides of the isle in handing out grades for the first 24 hours of free agency. Tavares' seven-year, $77 million contract was far and away the biggest one signed, but there was actually a considerable amount of movement for a cla s that failed to inspire intrigue beyond its biggest fish.In all, more than $480 million in contracts were distributed to free agents (unrestricted and restricted) Sunday the highesttotal on July 1 since 2014.Like every year, some teams proved savvier than others. Let's take a look at the winners and losers from Day 1 of NHL free agency.MORE: In
Martin Fehervary Jersey pursuit of Cup, John Tavares puts Leafs in position to go for it Winner: Toronto Maple LeafsStart with the obvious. The signing of Tavaresis a coup for the Maple Leafs, and the way it played out should put to rest any false pretenses Leafs fansprepared in case they were rejected again. A 27-year-old superstar is suddenly plopped into the middle ofa contending roster already rife with young talent in AustonMatthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and the like. Granted, Tavares isn't a defensemen, so this team still will need to continue to improve. But the Leafs (on paper) seem to have that coveted blend of cheap production and veteran presence that's a must for any Stanley Cup contender these days.That won't last in perpetuity. It's why maybe the 2018-19 season could be the Leafs' very best shot at ending Toronto's 51-year Cup drought. Next offseason, it'll be time to pony up for Matthews, Marner and Jake Gardiner. Tavares allowed for that po sibility in deciding to leavemoney on the table and space between Toronto's cap ceiling another win for rookie general manager Kyle Dubas and Co. The departures of unrestricted free agents James van Riemsdyk, Tyler Bozakand Tomas Plekanecleaves some holes at forward, but the Leafs have stockpiled enough prospect equity to bridge those gaps internally. They'll enter next season with Tavares, Matthews and Nazem Kadrias a center trio.Outside of Pittsburgh, good luck finding a better group in the NHL. The pieces should fall into place from there.MORE:Loser: Lou LamorielloThe grave mistake of allowing Tavares to reach apoint of no return that can be NHL free agency was committed under a previous regime.Lamoriello was given a monthto a suageconcerns between a franchise and its foremost star, selling him on the idea the Islanders could morph into a more stable, contending entity under "Lou's Rules" like the organization he departed. That's the greatest irony of Tavares signing with the Leafs, though. And it;s up to Lamoriello now to carry out the contingency plan.What is it? Good question. The Isles are stocked with some young talent, too, led by NHL rookie of the year Mathew Barzal, who likely will inherit Tavares' title as face of the franchise. Except it's mostly the same core that's failed to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Lamoriellohas so far whiffed on addre sing glaringneeds in net and on the blue line, watching the best options in free agency dry
Lucas Johansen Jersey up while his attention was (understandably) elsewhere.Still, it's reasonable to ask how long Lamoriellodeserves the benefit of the doubt. There were more than a few cooks in Toronto's kitchen, and it's been a while since that
Jaromir Jagr Jersey 2012Cup Final run with the Devils. In mi sing on Tavares, heproceeded to commit$22 million in multi-year contracts for former Leafs plugger Leo Komarov and fringe defenseman Thomas Hickey. No positive way to slice up this July 1 in Brooklyn.MORE:John Tavares admits 'my heart was tearing apart'leaving Islanders Loser: San Jose SharksReally, we could fill this article with the 30 losers fromthe Tavares sweepstakes. Every general manager kicksthe tires, however briefly, when a superstar of this ilk reachesthe open market and can only dream of adding such a talent. It's especially gut-wrenching for the five finalists who came so close. And outside of the Islanders, the only team closer to Tavares through the proce s was the Sharks, who made no bones about their aspirations in adding him to a Cup-caliber core that's starting to feel a now-or-never pre sure.The Sharks ultimately finished third in this dance, despite their reported offer of $91 million a deal which would have made Tavares the highest-paid player in the NHL. Yet, he said thefinal decision came down to the Maple Leafs and Islanders. It must sting all the more to find out about old friend Patrick Marleau's efforts in recruiting Tavares to Toronto.Tavares says Marleau talked to him at length about how much he enjoyed playing with the Leafs. James Mirtle (@mirtle) In falling short on both Tavares and Ilya Kovalchuk, GM Doug Wilson () will have to make do with that he's got. The Pacific Division is still wide open and the Sharks have plenty of talent, but it won't be easy to get over the "what-if."NHL DRAFT 2018: | Winner: Buffalo SabresNot a bad week for the hard-luck Sabres and their fans. After formally welcoming No. 1 pick Rasmus Dahlin, Buffalo general manager Jason Botterillrolled up his sleeves and got to work correcting more of predece sor Tim Murray's mistakes.The big one came Sunday night, for thereturn Botterillhad been holding out for. PatrikBerglund and VladimirSobotka are capable if unremarkable veterans headed back to Buffalo, but won't factor in much to the long-term plans there. Thereal win came in the form of three future a sets, including the Blues' 2019 first-round draft pick (top-10 protected), a 2021 second and top prospect TageThompson, who St. Louis drafted 26th overall in 2016.Botterillhad been after a high pick in last weekend's draft reportedly as high as No. 3 overallfrom the Canadiens and was steadfast in his demands when he didn't get one
John Carlson Jersey . O'Reillywas not a depreciating a set. Botterillunderstands the value of center
The Connecticut
Greg Joseph Jersey Whale kick off their inaugural season Sunday, Oct. 11 as part of the National Women's Hockey League. .Their name is an homage to the Hartford Whalers, an NHL team that spent nearly 20 years in Hartford before moving to North Carolina in 1997 and becoming the Carolina Hurricanes.Colors: Blue, green, whiteGM: Harry RosenholzCoach: Jake Mastel. Mastel played hockey for University of Wisconsin-River Falls, where he won a Division III
Rashard Higgins Jersey championship in 1994.Arena: Chelsea Piers Connecticut (Stamford, Conn.)Season opener: Versus New York Riveters, Sunday Oct. 11 at 1:30 p.m. ET.Kelli Stack (Getty Images)Major signing: Two-time Olympian Kelli Stack is one of the headliners for the Whale. Stack had a goal and four a sists for the U.S. over five games in the 2014 Olympics. The forward broke records at Boston College with 209
Ozzie Newsome Jersey points, including 111 a sists in 140 games. She was the first three-time Hockey East Player of the Year and was the conference's top scorer twice.THE TEAMS: | | Draft picks: University of Minnesota forward Hannah Brandt was the first Whale draft selection, taken second overall. Brandt has 221 points in 122 games with the Gophers.
Eric Murray Jersey The Whale drafted three defenseman with their five draft picks Michelle Picard (Harvard), Milica McMillan (Minnesota) and Ca sandra Poudrier (Cornell).Ca sandra Negley is a contributor at Sporting News. She's currently the sports editor at
Austin Corbett Jersey the in Georgia and writes for the Mets blog, . You can follow her on Twitter, .
