Youth and money will be key talking points as Mike Babcock decides this week whether to remain as coach of the Detroit Red Wings or leave for, not necessarily, greener pastures.
Two key questions will be: Does a team wooing Babcock have enough talent to win in the near future? And, can it meet his salary demands?
Here are some points to ponder on both fronts.
1. Money is not No. 1.
As Babcock has already indicated, the size of his salary will not be the driving force in his decision. Also, the Red Wings can afford to match any offer that he receives elsewhere. Ultimately, Babcock will stay or go based on a team's chance for a championship in the relatively near future and the situation which he feels is the best fit for himself and his family.
2. Detroit has a relatively young roster.
This point will draw criticism from analytics lovers, but the fact is that Detroit's average age is skewed upward by the likes of Henrik Zetterberg, 33, Pavel Datsyuk, 36, Niklas Kronwall, 34, Daniel Cleary, 35, Marek Zidlicky, 37, and Erik Cole, 35. It's wrong to say that the Red Wings are relying too heavily on older players, because only three players over 30 -- Zetterberg, Datsyuk and Kronwall -- played more than 60 games with the Wings this season. Cleary, a model workhorse, played only 17, while Zidlicky and Cole were acquired at the trade deadline, largely for experience and offence, and have uncertain futures. Zatterberg and Datsyuk led the Red Wings offensively with 66 and 65 points, respectively, but Tomas Tatar, 23, had the most goals (29) while Gustav Nyquist, 25, placed second in goal-scoring (27). Also, Tatar and Nyquist placed third and fourth, respectively, in total points.
And, in case anyone forgets, the Wings took the Tampa Bay Lightning -- one of the NHL's youngest and most talented teams -- to overtime in the seventh game of their first-round series before bowing out.
In other words, Detroit's supposedly aging roster should not be used as an excuse if or when Babcock decides to leave Detroit. When it comes to rebuilding, there's momentum in Motown.
3. Babcock can work with young players anywhere.
It's a misconception to think that Babcock will prefer to work with veteran players and limit young players' development and ice time. Nobody has said that he will, but coaches are often accused of preferring veterans over youngsters, and he will probably receive similar treatment from critics as more teams come into the hiring mix.
Babcock has a teaching background, and he has won a Canadian university title with a Lethbridge Pronghorns team that has done little since; a Memorial Cup with junior-aged Spokane Chiefs and a Stanley Cup by developing such future Red Wings stars as Zetterberg, Datsyuk, Kronwall and Jimmy Howard, among others, in their younger days.
The NHL is trending younger, Babcock knows that, and he can adapt.
Accordingly, Edmonton, where junior phenom Connor McDavid will play next season and Buffalo, where future American superstar Jack Eichel is destined to toil, would both be a good fit because they have several emerging young stars. But the Oilers are not considered to be in the running anymore for Babcock, while Buffalo is reportedly in hot pursuit. Toronto does not yet have enough obvious young talent for it to be a strong selling point, but the Leafs will likely make a big push at crunch time due to president Brendan Shanahan's close ties to him.
4. Toronto is a bad fit.
There are too many negatives in Toronto, including a daily media gong show, the absence of a general manager since Dave Nonis was fired, a dysfunctional veteran core and the aforementioned lack of young talent. It could be several years before the Leafs are ready to contend. But, as a rule, coaches love a challenge, and the Maple Leafs pose, arguably, the biggest one in the NHL.
Many coaches would opt not to coach in Toronto because of its hockey heritage and the constant public pressure to win that everyone faces on a daily basis. But Babcock is enough of a contrarian to accept an apparent no-win situation.
So don't be surprised if, after months of speculation, he winds up guiding the Leafs after all.
Showing posts with label Toronto Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toronto Maple Leafs. Show all posts
Monday, May 18, 2015
Friday, May 8, 2015
Babcock's days in Detroit appear numbered
Mike Babcock's marriage to the Detroit Red Wings appears all but over.
As reported Friday, Babcock has expressed a desire to consider other options, and the Red Wings are willing to let them talk to other teams before his contract expires in July. Babcock has stated that he could still return to Detroit, and the Wings would clearly love to have him back. But this situation makes two points clear: Babcock is not committed to Detroit, perhaps for a few weeks or maybe forever, and the Red Wings are willing to let him go.
Granted, relations would have been damaged if the Red Wings had not granted him permission to talk to other teams before his contract expires, because the club would then have an angry coach that it still wants to keep and might have to work with. Also, the Wings could miss out on some other qualified coaching candidates, such as former San Jose Sharks bench boss Todd McLellan, who is a former Detroit assistant.
In turn, the Wings could also miss out on signing some unrestricted free agents, who view a potential team's coach as a key factor in their decisions. Babcock would also miss out on jobs elsewhere, because teams like to have coaches in place for free agency and planning purposes, often before the draft in late June or the July 1 free agent frenzy.
Both the Red Wings and Babcock are being decent by keeping options open. The Red Wings, who have made two contract offers, could have simply let him go while continuing to pay him until July. Also, Babcock could have stated that he won't be back.
Babcock earned such treatment after helping the Wings reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2008, when they beat Pittsburgh, and 2009 when they lost to the Penguins. He has also helped the Red Wings qualify for the playoffs in 24 straight years. Babcock has gone 527-285-119 with 19 ties in 12 NHL seasons, sports an 82-62 record in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and led Canada to gold medals in the last two Olympics. He also led the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003.
Both sides are showing their professionalism and respectful relationship by keeping options open, but the Red Wings are also preparing for Babcock's departure. General manager Ken Holland is not allowing other teams to talk to Jeff Blashill, coach of the Wings' AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. Holland has stated that Blashill would be a candidate for the Detroit position if Babcock leaves.
The Red Wings like to develop coaches and players from within, so Blashill would have a good chance of being promoted. It's hard to say why Babcock wants to consider other jobs. The Red Wings, owned by Mikke Ilitch, are a wealthy organizations that can afford to meet, or at least come close enough, to his salary target, and Babcock does not have a desire to be a GM. While he might have a strong desire to win now, the Red Wings have considerable young talent on their roster and in the pipeline to offset the eventual losses of superstars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. It won't be long before they are strong Cup contenders again.
Babcock might just want a change or a new challenge or the opportunity to work in Canada. You are not likely to find out the reasons unless Babcock moves to another team. His options are plentiful as Toronto, Buffalo, San Jose and Philadelphia have openings, while Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli has said he will reach out to him, although Todd Nelson is still the Oilers coach for now. The strong likelihood of Edmonton choosing Connor McDavid first overall could appeal strongly to Babcock when he decides where to go. Other teams without coaching vacancies, unusual suspects as now, might also make moves if they can get Babcock. For instance, Claude Julien's future in Boston is in question, and Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter appears to be dealing with a player mutiny after the 2013-14 Stanley Cup champions missed the playoffs.
All of these factors increase the likelihood of Babcock leaving Detroit.
As reported Friday, Babcock has expressed a desire to consider other options, and the Red Wings are willing to let them talk to other teams before his contract expires in July. Babcock has stated that he could still return to Detroit, and the Wings would clearly love to have him back. But this situation makes two points clear: Babcock is not committed to Detroit, perhaps for a few weeks or maybe forever, and the Red Wings are willing to let him go.
Granted, relations would have been damaged if the Red Wings had not granted him permission to talk to other teams before his contract expires, because the club would then have an angry coach that it still wants to keep and might have to work with. Also, the Wings could miss out on some other qualified coaching candidates, such as former San Jose Sharks bench boss Todd McLellan, who is a former Detroit assistant.
In turn, the Wings could also miss out on signing some unrestricted free agents, who view a potential team's coach as a key factor in their decisions. Babcock would also miss out on jobs elsewhere, because teams like to have coaches in place for free agency and planning purposes, often before the draft in late June or the July 1 free agent frenzy.
Both the Red Wings and Babcock are being decent by keeping options open. The Red Wings, who have made two contract offers, could have simply let him go while continuing to pay him until July. Also, Babcock could have stated that he won't be back.
Babcock earned such treatment after helping the Wings reach the Stanley Cup finals in 2008, when they beat Pittsburgh, and 2009 when they lost to the Penguins. He has also helped the Red Wings qualify for the playoffs in 24 straight years. Babcock has gone 527-285-119 with 19 ties in 12 NHL seasons, sports an 82-62 record in the Stanley Cup playoffs, and led Canada to gold medals in the last two Olympics. He also led the Anaheim Ducks to the Stanley Cup finals in 2003.
Both sides are showing their professionalism and respectful relationship by keeping options open, but the Red Wings are also preparing for Babcock's departure. General manager Ken Holland is not allowing other teams to talk to Jeff Blashill, coach of the Wings' AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. Holland has stated that Blashill would be a candidate for the Detroit position if Babcock leaves.
The Red Wings like to develop coaches and players from within, so Blashill would have a good chance of being promoted. It's hard to say why Babcock wants to consider other jobs. The Red Wings, owned by Mikke Ilitch, are a wealthy organizations that can afford to meet, or at least come close enough, to his salary target, and Babcock does not have a desire to be a GM. While he might have a strong desire to win now, the Red Wings have considerable young talent on their roster and in the pipeline to offset the eventual losses of superstars Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. It won't be long before they are strong Cup contenders again.
Babcock might just want a change or a new challenge or the opportunity to work in Canada. You are not likely to find out the reasons unless Babcock moves to another team. His options are plentiful as Toronto, Buffalo, San Jose and Philadelphia have openings, while Edmonton GM Peter Chiarelli has said he will reach out to him, although Todd Nelson is still the Oilers coach for now. The strong likelihood of Edmonton choosing Connor McDavid first overall could appeal strongly to Babcock when he decides where to go. Other teams without coaching vacancies, unusual suspects as now, might also make moves if they can get Babcock. For instance, Claude Julien's future in Boston is in question, and Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter appears to be dealing with a player mutiny after the 2013-14 Stanley Cup champions missed the playoffs.
All of these factors increase the likelihood of Babcock leaving Detroit.
Monday, April 6, 2015
Richardson and Kassian in limbo as playoffs approach
Mum's the word on injuries as the Vancouver Canucks attempt to get into the Stanley Cup playoffs this week.
Centre Brad Richardson and winger Zack Kassian's status came up for discussion after Monday's morning skate in advance of key game against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins would clearly love to have them back as the post-season approaches, but he was in no mood to clarify their status.
“They’ve been off for a bit,” Desjardins understated. “I’m not going to talk about injuries. This is probably the last time I talk about them. Those are certainly injuries that we did not expect. I thought (Richardson) might play the game after he got hurt. So that injury’s been a long injury. I think, the Kassian one, every day you hope it might be better, and it just hasn’t come along like we hoped."
Richardson, a workhorse third-line centre whose game suits the playoff style, has been limited to 45 games this season because of a foot and ankle problem. He has played only two games since early January, managing a respectable eight goals and 13 assists in what can best be described as grinder and penalty-killing roles. Just when the 30-year-old Belleville, Ont., native thought he was back for the long haul, the injury flared up he played two games in mid-March.
Kassian was reviving his game when he was sidelined with apparent back troubles from which he suffered previously. He has the big body, speed, and physical game that coaches covet during playoffs. But the 24-year-old Windsor, Ont., native has not played since a March 14 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When either Richardson or Kassian will return is anybody's guess. The Canucks conclude the NHL regular season with games Monday against the Kings, Thursday against Arizona and Saturday versus Edmonton.
"I won’t address it after this, but there are (injured players) that we expected to be back sooner," said Desjardins. "It turned out to be a little bit later than we thought it was going to be.”
Centre Brad Richardson and winger Zack Kassian's status came up for discussion after Monday's morning skate in advance of key game against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Arena. Canucks coach Willie Desjardins would clearly love to have them back as the post-season approaches, but he was in no mood to clarify their status.
“They’ve been off for a bit,” Desjardins understated. “I’m not going to talk about injuries. This is probably the last time I talk about them. Those are certainly injuries that we did not expect. I thought (Richardson) might play the game after he got hurt. So that injury’s been a long injury. I think, the Kassian one, every day you hope it might be better, and it just hasn’t come along like we hoped."
Richardson, a workhorse third-line centre whose game suits the playoff style, has been limited to 45 games this season because of a foot and ankle problem. He has played only two games since early January, managing a respectable eight goals and 13 assists in what can best be described as grinder and penalty-killing roles. Just when the 30-year-old Belleville, Ont., native thought he was back for the long haul, the injury flared up he played two games in mid-March.
Kassian was reviving his game when he was sidelined with apparent back troubles from which he suffered previously. He has the big body, speed, and physical game that coaches covet during playoffs. But the 24-year-old Windsor, Ont., native has not played since a March 14 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.
When either Richardson or Kassian will return is anybody's guess. The Canucks conclude the NHL regular season with games Monday against the Kings, Thursday against Arizona and Saturday versus Edmonton.
"I won’t address it after this, but there are (injured players) that we expected to be back sooner," said Desjardins. "It turned out to be a little bit later than we thought it was going to be.”
Friday, March 13, 2015
Canucks showing signs of improved health
The Vancouver Canucks have endured injuries to key players for several weeks, but they are about to get some reinforcements.
Centre Brad Richardson, winger Chris Higgins and defencemen Kevin Bieksa and Yannick Weber could return for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I can’t confirm that they’ll be in the lineup, but I think they’re real close, and I think we just have to make a choice,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “I don’t think they’re 100 per cent (healthy), but this time of year a lot of guys aren’t 100 per cent. We just have to make a choice on the lineup. At least they’re healthy enough that they’re into that discussion.”
The Canucks are looking to regroup after a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. Richardson is especially eager to play after being out since Jan. 16 with a foot and ankle issue that was expected to take much less time to heal. The extended stay in sick bay frustrated both him and Desjardins.
“I tried to play in Tampa,” said Richardson. “It was two weeks later, so I took a break, and I thought I’d be back for sure after that. I just couldn’t. It was really bad and then we had to get it checked some more and it just needed time.”
Richardson will be particularly handy in third-line and penalty-killing roles.
Some soreness lingers, but he will soldier through it as the Canucks, third in the Pacific Division, seek to hold on to a playoff spot with Calgary and Los Angeles applying pressure.
“I’m going to have to fight through it, but it’s pretty good, and it has to be tested in battle and all that kind of stuff,” Richardson said. “But it’s definitely something that’s going to bother me for a little bit. I wouldn’t be coming back if I didn’t think I could. There’s no point coming back if you can’t play your role.”
Bieksa, one of the team’s top defencemen, is on the verge of returning after suffering a broken hand while blocking a shot Jan. 27 against Tampa Bay. His presence will shore up an injury-riddled blue-line corps and lighten the load of Alex Edler and Dan Hamhuis, who have played extended minutes.
“I’m in that range right now for a return and, like I said, I’ve been feeling good the last couple of days,” Bieksa said. “Sometimes it takes just a little push to get over that hump, and I feel like I’m right there.”
The Grimsby, Ont., native is not taking any special meaning from possibly coming back against the team that he grew up watching.
“To be honest, no,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter. It’s nice to play in Toronto. Playing against them outside is not really a big deal for me personally. It’s the time of the year, though, where points are so crucial right now. When you look at the standings, it’s just so tight.
“When you’re out (injured), you get a chance to watch a few more games (involving) other teams.
It doesn’t seem like Calgary is going to lose too many games, or not get a point in too many games, and L.A., obviously, they showed (Thursday) night that they’re going to be a top team down the stretch. So we have to get points every game we can, so I want to help out as much as I can. … I want to be out there helping my teammates. It’s hard to sit back and watch – really hard, actually.”
Higgins is slated to return after missing three games with an undisclosed injury suffered in a practice following a win over Arizona.
“It was just a little (lower-body) strain, so it was nothing too serious,” he said. “I was hoping to get back earlier than that, but the coach gave me three games (off.)”
Higgins will be a candidate for second-line duty when he returns. Weber is close to returning after missing two games.
Higgins hopes the Canucks can show their full potential after missing several players at different times since Christmas. The Smithtown, N.Y., native and his teammates are also anxious to avoid a letdown against a struggling Toronto club that is playing out the string before wide-scale changes in the off-season.
“We can’t afford to have two or three games to get back in the groove,” Higgins said. “Guys that have been out, they need to chip in right away.”
“It doesn’t matter who (the other team) is,” said Richardson. “We just need the win.”
The Canucks have a habit of playing down to lower-level opposition. They have lost to weaker teams like Buffalo and Arizona while needing critical points to improve their post-season chances.
The Leafs shape up as another visiting club that could again steal the show in Vancouver. Richardson warned that they are desperate to win as they fight for jobs and new contracts in advance of next season.
Goaltender Eddie Lack said the Canucks should be wary, based on past performance against also-rans.
“We’ve been playing bad against teams below us in the standings, so we’ve gotta come out with lots of energy (Saturday) and get the crowd with us from the start,” said Lack.
He and captain Henrik Sedin expect the Leafs, who always draw a strong legion of fans clad in blue and white in Vancouver, to give the Canucks a jolt of emotion just by their presence at Rogers Arena.
“It’s always fun when the crowd gets into it,” said Lack. “It’ll probably be a crowd battle or something … in the stands. I was on the bench last year when we played the Leafs, but it was a great atmosphere and a fun game. So, hopefully, we’ll have a similar atmosphere (Saturday).”
Sedin said the Canucks must make sure they get off to a good start.
"The first five minutes, we've gotta come out and show we're not gonna let this one slip away, and not give Toronto any life," he said.
Centre Brad Richardson, winger Chris Higgins and defencemen Kevin Bieksa and Yannick Weber could return for Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“I can’t confirm that they’ll be in the lineup, but I think they’re real close, and I think we just have to make a choice,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “I don’t think they’re 100 per cent (healthy), but this time of year a lot of guys aren’t 100 per cent. We just have to make a choice on the lineup. At least they’re healthy enough that they’re into that discussion.”
The Canucks are looking to regroup after a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night. Richardson is especially eager to play after being out since Jan. 16 with a foot and ankle issue that was expected to take much less time to heal. The extended stay in sick bay frustrated both him and Desjardins.
“I tried to play in Tampa,” said Richardson. “It was two weeks later, so I took a break, and I thought I’d be back for sure after that. I just couldn’t. It was really bad and then we had to get it checked some more and it just needed time.”
Richardson will be particularly handy in third-line and penalty-killing roles.
Some soreness lingers, but he will soldier through it as the Canucks, third in the Pacific Division, seek to hold on to a playoff spot with Calgary and Los Angeles applying pressure.
“I’m going to have to fight through it, but it’s pretty good, and it has to be tested in battle and all that kind of stuff,” Richardson said. “But it’s definitely something that’s going to bother me for a little bit. I wouldn’t be coming back if I didn’t think I could. There’s no point coming back if you can’t play your role.”
Bieksa, one of the team’s top defencemen, is on the verge of returning after suffering a broken hand while blocking a shot Jan. 27 against Tampa Bay. His presence will shore up an injury-riddled blue-line corps and lighten the load of Alex Edler and Dan Hamhuis, who have played extended minutes.
“I’m in that range right now for a return and, like I said, I’ve been feeling good the last couple of days,” Bieksa said. “Sometimes it takes just a little push to get over that hump, and I feel like I’m right there.”
The Grimsby, Ont., native is not taking any special meaning from possibly coming back against the team that he grew up watching.
“To be honest, no,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter. It’s nice to play in Toronto. Playing against them outside is not really a big deal for me personally. It’s the time of the year, though, where points are so crucial right now. When you look at the standings, it’s just so tight.
“When you’re out (injured), you get a chance to watch a few more games (involving) other teams.
It doesn’t seem like Calgary is going to lose too many games, or not get a point in too many games, and L.A., obviously, they showed (Thursday) night that they’re going to be a top team down the stretch. So we have to get points every game we can, so I want to help out as much as I can. … I want to be out there helping my teammates. It’s hard to sit back and watch – really hard, actually.”
Higgins is slated to return after missing three games with an undisclosed injury suffered in a practice following a win over Arizona.
“It was just a little (lower-body) strain, so it was nothing too serious,” he said. “I was hoping to get back earlier than that, but the coach gave me three games (off.)”
Higgins will be a candidate for second-line duty when he returns. Weber is close to returning after missing two games.
Higgins hopes the Canucks can show their full potential after missing several players at different times since Christmas. The Smithtown, N.Y., native and his teammates are also anxious to avoid a letdown against a struggling Toronto club that is playing out the string before wide-scale changes in the off-season.
“We can’t afford to have two or three games to get back in the groove,” Higgins said. “Guys that have been out, they need to chip in right away.”
“It doesn’t matter who (the other team) is,” said Richardson. “We just need the win.”
The Canucks have a habit of playing down to lower-level opposition. They have lost to weaker teams like Buffalo and Arizona while needing critical points to improve their post-season chances.
The Leafs shape up as another visiting club that could again steal the show in Vancouver. Richardson warned that they are desperate to win as they fight for jobs and new contracts in advance of next season.
Goaltender Eddie Lack said the Canucks should be wary, based on past performance against also-rans.
“We’ve been playing bad against teams below us in the standings, so we’ve gotta come out with lots of energy (Saturday) and get the crowd with us from the start,” said Lack.
He and captain Henrik Sedin expect the Leafs, who always draw a strong legion of fans clad in blue and white in Vancouver, to give the Canucks a jolt of emotion just by their presence at Rogers Arena.
“It’s always fun when the crowd gets into it,” said Lack. “It’ll probably be a crowd battle or something … in the stands. I was on the bench last year when we played the Leafs, but it was a great atmosphere and a fun game. So, hopefully, we’ll have a similar atmosphere (Saturday).”
Sedin said the Canucks must make sure they get off to a good start.
"The first five minutes, we've gotta come out and show we're not gonna let this one slip away, and not give Toronto any life," he said.
Eddie Lack gets a new backup
The Vancouver Canucks goaltending saga took another interesting twist Friday.
Rarely used backup Jacob Markstrom was dispatched to Utica of the AHL to get in some playing time while Joacim Ericsson was called up. The move puts more of an onus on temporary starter Eddie Lack to play well – and often – during the stretch drive of the NHL regular season.
“We just want to get (Markstrom) in some games, so we’re just going to switch out him and Eriksson,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “We just thought it was best for (Markstrom) to get a couple games, and he’ll be coming back.”
Goaltenders have been the talk of the town in Vancouver on an almost daily basis in recent years. Just the characters have changed.
Markstrom struggled in his lone start with the Canucks on March 3, allowing three goals on four shots before he was pulled in a loss to San Jose. Lack has appeared in 10 straight games since starter Ryan Miller was sidelined with a knee injury Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders.
Ericsson, a 24-year-old Gavle, Sweden native, who signed as a free agent with Vancouver prior to the 2013-14 season, is expected to serve solely as a backup and practice goalie. Lack should continue to start each game, including Saturday’s home contest against the woeful Toronto Maple Leafs, until Markstrom is back from the minors or Miller is healthy enough to play.
Ericsson is up on an emergency basis, and Markstrom will have that status again when he comes back.
The Canucks (38-25-4) are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as they fight to hold on to a playoff spot in the ultra-tight Western Conference. Lack is 5-3-1 in his last nine games and 10-9-3 overall with a 2.48 goals-against average. Lack's increasingly heavy workload could see him meet or surpass the 41 games he played last season as a rookie, but he is not worried about fatigue.
“I try to get my reps in at practice and everything like that and not to think too much about the next game or try to serve energy,” he said. “I just try to go as hard, as I can – and that gets me ready.”
Note_Ericsson did not arrive in time for practice Friday, so a Canucks staff member filled in as the second goalie.
Rarely used backup Jacob Markstrom was dispatched to Utica of the AHL to get in some playing time while Joacim Ericsson was called up. The move puts more of an onus on temporary starter Eddie Lack to play well – and often – during the stretch drive of the NHL regular season.
“We just want to get (Markstrom) in some games, so we’re just going to switch out him and Eriksson,” said coach Willie Desjardins. “We just thought it was best for (Markstrom) to get a couple games, and he’ll be coming back.”
Goaltenders have been the talk of the town in Vancouver on an almost daily basis in recent years. Just the characters have changed.
Markstrom struggled in his lone start with the Canucks on March 3, allowing three goals on four shots before he was pulled in a loss to San Jose. Lack has appeared in 10 straight games since starter Ryan Miller was sidelined with a knee injury Feb. 22 against the New York Islanders.
Ericsson, a 24-year-old Gavle, Sweden native, who signed as a free agent with Vancouver prior to the 2013-14 season, is expected to serve solely as a backup and practice goalie. Lack should continue to start each game, including Saturday’s home contest against the woeful Toronto Maple Leafs, until Markstrom is back from the minors or Miller is healthy enough to play.
Ericsson is up on an emergency basis, and Markstrom will have that status again when he comes back.
The Canucks (38-25-4) are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings as they fight to hold on to a playoff spot in the ultra-tight Western Conference. Lack is 5-3-1 in his last nine games and 10-9-3 overall with a 2.48 goals-against average. Lack's increasingly heavy workload could see him meet or surpass the 41 games he played last season as a rookie, but he is not worried about fatigue.
“I try to get my reps in at practice and everything like that and not to think too much about the next game or try to serve energy,” he said. “I just try to go as hard, as I can – and that gets me ready.”
Note_Ericsson did not arrive in time for practice Friday, so a Canucks staff member filled in as the second goalie.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Unique Clarkson trade creates intriguing possibilities
The truth about David Clarkson has finally come out.
Clarkson, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Toronto Maple Leafs this week in a unique deal, is a modest talent who parlayed one good season into a huge, ludicrous contract. The seven-year, $37.5-million deal overshadowed the fact that the 30-year-old Toronto native has been a minus player most of his career, and injuries have severely limited his playing time. Often beset with injuries, he has only played all 82 games twice in his eight seasons.
But in 2011-12, when he played 80 games, he managed to score 30 goals and send teams into a tizzy, even though he only produced a career-high 46 points in total with the New Jersey Devils. In all of his other seasons, Clarkson has never recorded more than 32 points – and won’t this season, either, barring a major surge. Simply put, such numbers do not merit seven-year contracts.
The Maple Leafs were not the only team that offered big bucks, but they were left holding the money bags when he decided to sign with his hometown club. At the time, the Leafs were under pressure to sign a supposedly big name and Clarkson fit the bill, and it’s reasonable to expect that general manager Dave Nonis received some prodding from ownership.
Fortunately, Nonis and the Leafs caught a break when Columbus unexpectedly peddled injured forward Nathan Horton, who is not likely to play again but has a big, uninsured contract that is now Toronto’s responsibility. As has been reported, with Horton on long-term injured reserve, the Maple Leafs can now clear significant salary-cap space over the next six seasons, which they can use to sign free agents in their rebuilding process. Nonis also has the option of acquiring a proven star from a team that is at the salary cap max.
The Blue Jackets get a player that they can pay for actually playing, and Clarkson’s contract likely ensures that the small-market club will remain above the salary-cap floor going forward, enabling them to save money in the long run.
Nonis deserves credit for hammering out a creative deal. Now, it will be interesting to see whether he and Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen have started a trend.
For example, do the Philadelphia Flyers have more leverage in attempts to trade injured defenceman Chris Pronger’s rights? Although Pronger now works as an NHL disciplinarian, his playing contract does not expire until 2016-17 – and his $4.9-million annual cap hit could prove to be attractive to a team looking for relief over the next two seasons. Could Toronto bite again? The Flyers motivation: GM Ron Hextall could get a player or draft pick in return, or they could avoid insurance-related expenses.
Hextall reportedly tried to trade Pronger’s rights last season, but he might get more interest now that Nonis and Kekalainen have showed clubs how to make such deals workable. If not now, perhaps they will become more common in the future.
While most long-term injured players’ contracts will be insured and clubs will have less incentive to trade them, the salary-cap advantages could prove to be attractive – especially if concussions take more of a toll and insurers are reluctant to assume as much risk as they do now. More concussions could spell higher insurance premiums, which can be in the millions considering the size of some deals.
So the truth about David Clarkson is that he is not a great player. While the winger has highly coveted size, skill and leadership abilities, he is not likely to produce a plethora of points over the remainder of his contract. And while he hopes to get back to playing the way he was in New Jersey, that level was nothing to write home about.
But just by signing a big contract and being part of an unexpected trade, he might be a trendsetter.
The possibilities are intriguing.
Clarkson, who was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets from the Toronto Maple Leafs this week in a unique deal, is a modest talent who parlayed one good season into a huge, ludicrous contract. The seven-year, $37.5-million deal overshadowed the fact that the 30-year-old Toronto native has been a minus player most of his career, and injuries have severely limited his playing time. Often beset with injuries, he has only played all 82 games twice in his eight seasons.
But in 2011-12, when he played 80 games, he managed to score 30 goals and send teams into a tizzy, even though he only produced a career-high 46 points in total with the New Jersey Devils. In all of his other seasons, Clarkson has never recorded more than 32 points – and won’t this season, either, barring a major surge. Simply put, such numbers do not merit seven-year contracts.
The Maple Leafs were not the only team that offered big bucks, but they were left holding the money bags when he decided to sign with his hometown club. At the time, the Leafs were under pressure to sign a supposedly big name and Clarkson fit the bill, and it’s reasonable to expect that general manager Dave Nonis received some prodding from ownership.
Fortunately, Nonis and the Leafs caught a break when Columbus unexpectedly peddled injured forward Nathan Horton, who is not likely to play again but has a big, uninsured contract that is now Toronto’s responsibility. As has been reported, with Horton on long-term injured reserve, the Maple Leafs can now clear significant salary-cap space over the next six seasons, which they can use to sign free agents in their rebuilding process. Nonis also has the option of acquiring a proven star from a team that is at the salary cap max.
The Blue Jackets get a player that they can pay for actually playing, and Clarkson’s contract likely ensures that the small-market club will remain above the salary-cap floor going forward, enabling them to save money in the long run.
Nonis deserves credit for hammering out a creative deal. Now, it will be interesting to see whether he and Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen have started a trend.
For example, do the Philadelphia Flyers have more leverage in attempts to trade injured defenceman Chris Pronger’s rights? Although Pronger now works as an NHL disciplinarian, his playing contract does not expire until 2016-17 – and his $4.9-million annual cap hit could prove to be attractive to a team looking for relief over the next two seasons. Could Toronto bite again? The Flyers motivation: GM Ron Hextall could get a player or draft pick in return, or they could avoid insurance-related expenses.
Hextall reportedly tried to trade Pronger’s rights last season, but he might get more interest now that Nonis and Kekalainen have showed clubs how to make such deals workable. If not now, perhaps they will become more common in the future.
While most long-term injured players’ contracts will be insured and clubs will have less incentive to trade them, the salary-cap advantages could prove to be attractive – especially if concussions take more of a toll and insurers are reluctant to assume as much risk as they do now. More concussions could spell higher insurance premiums, which can be in the millions considering the size of some deals.
So the truth about David Clarkson is that he is not a great player. While the winger has highly coveted size, skill and leadership abilities, he is not likely to produce a plethora of points over the remainder of his contract. And while he hopes to get back to playing the way he was in New Jersey, that level was nothing to write home about.
But just by signing a big contract and being part of an unexpected trade, he might be a trendsetter.
The possibilities are intriguing.
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