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Projecting Team Canada’s 2022 Olympic men’s hockey roster

Chris Johnston — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 11:39:41 EDT

With an agreement now in place to send NHL players back to the 2022 Olympics, what could a powerhouse Team Canada look like? Chris Johnston comes up with his own creation, originally published in February.

In Maple Leafs’ talks with Oilers about Hyman, Dubas isn’t bending the knee

Chris Johnston — Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:06:22 EDT

If the Oilers come around to Kyle Dubas’ way of viewing the situation, a sign-and-trade for Zach Hyman could still happen. But there doesn’t appear to be a compromise. Right now, the Maple Leafs’ GM isn’t bending the knee for anyone.

Maple Leafs at crossroads as Zach Hyman nears exit

Chris Johnston — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:29:32 EDT

With Zach Hyman inching closer to a departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team faces an impasse as they try to replace one of their integral pieces over the last six seasons.

In an era where cap space is king, Kraken draft with the long game in mind

Chris Johnston — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:47:24 EDT

The Kraken couldn’t simply try and mimic what the Golden Knights did four years ago. No, we live in a time now where cap space is king. And, after their draft choices, Seattle will soon be calling the shots from the throne.

Seattle Kraken Expansion Draft: 10 most intriguing players left unprotected

Chris Johnston — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 11:25:49 EDT

Decisions loom large for Ron Francis and the Kraken. Here’s a look at the 10 most intriguing players left unprotected for the Seattle expansion draft.

Forged by disappointment, Lightning ride out every storm to win Stanley Cup

Chris Johnston — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 23:37:59 EDT

Whether it was Hurricane Elsa, a do-or-die Game 7 in the third round or a magical run by the Montreal Canadiens, nothing could knock the Tampa Bay Lightning off course in their pursuit of a second-straight Stanley Cup.

Kucherov, Vasilevskiy just two of Lightning’s many Conn Smythe candidates

Chris Johnston — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 17:10:14 EDT

Nikita Kucherov and Andrei Vasilevskiy have been dominating tournaments together for more than a decade and one of them seems appears poised to be just the third Russian-born Conn Smythe winner. But a number of Lightning players are in the conversation for playoff MVP as the Bolts try to go back-to-back.

Lightning’s championship plans put on hold by determined Canadiens

Chris Johnston — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 01:34:21 EDT

The Lightning played like a team trying to walk with legends. And they came up against a determined opponent that found a way through their attack. Now they head home with a chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions on home ice.

Facing cap crunch, Lightning using ‘Last Dance’ mentality in bid to repeat

Chris Johnston — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 12:43:53 EDT

The Lightning are set to lose one player in the Seattle expansion draft process later this month and they’ll be challenged to retain their UFAs amid a cap crunch. Discomforting as that reality may be, it’s also been a source of motivation for a Lightning team trying to repeat.

Tyler Johnson gives Lightning apt parting gift amid uncertain future

Chris Johnston — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 12:17:01 EDT

If he ends up leaving after the season, Tyler Johnson’s performance in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday should serve as a pretty nice parting gift to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Lightning simply too much for Canadiens to handle with Cup repeat on horizon

Chris Johnston — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 23:10:34 EDT

The Lightning have been too much for the Canadiens to handle through three games of this championship series, capitalizing on some early errors Friday and keeping the pedal to the floor during a 6-3 Game 3 victory.

Lightning keeping business-like approach as Cup Final shifts to Montreal

Chris Johnston — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 17:41:06 EDT

Ahead 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Final, the Lightning are flying north to Montreal with the possibility of making the return trip home carrying a pretty shiny piece of carry-on luggage. Catch Game 3 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT Friday on Sportsnet.

Price looks less than superhuman at wrong time as Canadiens fall behind 0-2

Chris Johnston — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 01:42:04 EDT

Carey Price can’t truly be faulted for Blake Coleman’s spectacular Game 2 goal, nor the 0-2 hole in this series his Canadiens head home with. But these weren’t just any two games in a Hall of Fame career.

Canadiens have faith youth will continue to grow in playoff spotlight

Chris Johnston — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 18:05:28 EDT

Part of the reason why the Montreal Canadiens have managed to play into the summer is the life their young players have brought to the lineup, and the way they’ve been able to grow through challenges during this extended playoff run.

Canadiens requesting 50 per cent Bell Centre capacity for Stanley Cup Final

Chris Johnston — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:23:11 EDT

The Montreal Canadiens are in conversations with the Quebec government in an effort to boost attendance at the Bell Centre for the Stanley Cup Final.

NHL’s Olympic talks progressing, but time not on their side as issues remain

Chris Johnston — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:04:17 EDT

The NHL, NHLPA, IOC and IIHF remain fully engaged in discussions around the Beijing Olympics, and progress has been made. But with roughly two weeks for the remaining issues to be resolved, time is not on their side.

Kucherov’s elite playoff production proving effective against Canadiens

Chris Johnston — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 01:43:09 EDT

With two goals and an assist in Game 1 on Monday night, Nikita Kucherov has had multiple 30-point performances for consecutive years in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. What’s more impressive, he’s doing it at something less than 100 per cent.

NHL to await results of independent investigation into Blackhawks

Chris Johnston — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 20:29:35 EDT

Gary Bettman says the NHL only learned of sexual assault allegations against a Chicago Blackhawks video coach from 2010 “relatively recently” and that it will await the results of an independent investigation before deciding how to proceed.

Lightning’s connection to Canadiens runs deep ahead of Stanley Cup Final

Chris Johnston — Sun, 27 Jun 2021 18:16:34 EDT

From Julien BriseBois to Jon Cooper’s backroom staff, the connection to the Montreal Canadiens run deep within the Tampa Bay Lightning organization. That’s what makes this Stanley Cup Final extra special for several members of the team.

Lightning’s pursuit of history to meet 2021’s team of destiny in Cup Final

Chris Johnston — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 22:44:19 EDT

The Montreal Canadiens arrive in this Stanley Cup Final feeling like a team of destiny. But to complete the job, they’re going to have to derail the pursuit of history by the NHL’s gold-standard franchise.