• Will the NHL Draft become more like the NFL and NBA?
• Why ’30’ is an important number in negotiations
• Cale Makar‘s historic career start
I completely understand why Taylor Hall spoke up in defence of Connor Bedard — “It can be a little much for him at times. He doesn’t say that, but it feels like it is” — but what I think really needs to be learned from the past week is the NHL should fight its long-time habit of “dialing it back” in favour of recognizing we’re going to have to embrace the cult of personality more than we have.
The media tours (Stockholm and Vegas this year) are outstanding, but we can’t stop when the puck drops.
Over the summer, several players, agents, executives, league officials, you name it, indicated they were concerned about increasing MLS attention and what it means for the NHL. (And, as F1 arrived in Vegas, I heard similar worries about its North American expansion, too.) F1’s growth is fueled by the excellent Drive to Survive, which prominently pushes personality, and MLS got a massive bump with Lionel Messi’s earth-shaking arrival.
During the 2019 Toronto-Golden State NBA Final, co-workers were amazed at how star after star to the podium created hours of programming, even on non-game-days. Bedard deserves a ton of credit for what he accepted; Sportsnet staffers who dealt with him the last few days said he had an excellent attitude toward it all.
I hope others in hockey look at it his way: “The best way I can ease his burden is by saying, ‘OK, I’m next,’ or, ‘OK, someone from our team is next.’”
There are so many great people in this sport with stories to tell. I’ve been concerned with the loss of great television features; we must revive them. Hockey is all about team over individual — a lofty and worthy goal — but we must recognize our audience craves more access to its stars and greater knowledge of what makes them tick. One of our producers said he’s never seen so many young fans crowding the glass during warmup as there was for Bedard.
At the coach/GM meeting in September in Chicago, they were told they’d have to say “yes” more than they had in the past. Not everyone’s going to like it, but it is what our audience wants.
And if we’re really serious about growth, we’re going to have to embrace it.
Toronto media were upset Bedard was not available game-day Monday morning (the Blackhawks practised Sunday) or after Chicago’s victory. But it’s hard to be critical of overall access to him at the start of this season. (Montreal did not skate in Toronto last Wednesday, so there’s unhappiness that it’s happened twice in three home games — not good.) I wondered if Chicago asked for media requests well in advance of the games in Pittsburgh, Boston, Montreal and Toronto so things could be properly planned out, but that wasn’t the case. GM Kyle Davidson credited his media relations group: John Steinmiller, Ben Fromstein and Kaylea Konoval.
“We understood the importance of visibility of star players,” Davidson said. “We walked him through the requests, making sure everyone and, most importantly, the player was comfortable. We’re trying to do right by hockey, to satisfy the interest and make him comfortable.”
Did you turn down many asks?
“It was not necessarily about turning down, but suggesting alternatives,” he replied.
How did this week compare to the height of the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup success?
“It was not like the Cup final, blocking off sections to make room for media members. But for starting the season, there was the most intense focus since the Cup run.”
Davidson also defended Hall’s comments.
“It’s a veteran player looking out for our young guys, I want it. That’s with the best interests of a teammate in mind. It’s what you want in your older group. I’m totally fine that he said it. (Bedard) handled it so well. This was not a regular circumstance. I have no fear that if he’s not comfortable with something, he will tell us.
“No question he will let us know.”
32 THOUGHTS
1. All of this said, one of my friends asked if Sportsnet cameras followed Bedard into the bathroom.
2. Davidson on what he saw from Bedard as a player: “The ability to make things happen, sometimes out of nowhere.”
3. Hall missed just one game after suffering a shoulder injury that initially seemed much worse. If there’s one thing I was concerned about watching the Blackhawks, it’s that they might need another scorer to help Bedard. With Hall out of the lineup, it seemed too much on the rookie. Davidson says he’s not rushing to do anything, and clearly wants to give Lukas Reichel a long runway.
4. Finally on the Blackhawks, I like what I saw from 2022 first-rounder Kevin Korchinski. Sorry WHL, he looks good. “We haven’t made any decisions yet,” Davidson said. “But we’ve said Kevin’s play will dictate what decision we make. Right now, he looks like a player that should continue to get a look at the NHL level.” The GM points out Korchinski is a “young 19,” with a birthday in late June. “So far, he’s shown he’s ready for the NHL challenge.”
5. The NHL sent a league-wide memo Wednesday morning asking teams to let them know how they feel about a decentralized draft. It would be more NFL/NBA style, with the clubs staying in their markets. Only the prospects would be on-site. If I had a vote, I’d be against it for purely selfish reasons. I love the draft, having everyone together, being able to say hello, just schmooze with people. (Of course, having to do any of this with me is one of the reasons some might really hate it.)
I like the uniqueness of it, that no one else does it this way. And I do feel there is enormous value in conducting business face-to-face, not only among media, but manager-to-manager, scout-to-scout, prospect-to-team and agent-to-team. Nothing gets better results than in-person conversation.
6. Here’s where the challenges come. Last season’s draft was on June 28-29. This season’s draft is on June 28-29. That leaves one day to get back for the start of free agency, and it can be a long trip. Costs are another. You’ve still got to bring your scouts and staff to your city, but one executive made a good point: the hotel rates aren’t being jacked up because they know there’s a mass transportation event. There are also teams that believe you can’t conduct as much private business when so many people are snooping around.
My biggest concern would be time. Remember the second day of the 2020 draft? That was longer than the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Last weekend, a few people told me they thought decentralization would happen. Now, I’ve got others saying they are not so sure. So, let’s let it play out. Outside possibility it would take effect — if it happens — next June, but more likely 2025.
7. This will be the eighth consecutive season for My Cause My Cleats in the NFL, where players show support for a charitable cause via specially designed cleats. It’s an excellent idea, featuring creative “unboxing” videos posted on social media. The reason I mention it is that I’m not certain where this is going to go, or how far it is along, but the NHL and NHLPA have at least discussed the possibility of something along these lines. A night (or a few nights) where players can support what they wish during warmups.
Jeff Marek suggested this on Monday’s podcast as a compromise to the Pride-tape ban, and it makes a lot of sense. Last Saturday was San Jose’s annual “Los Tiburones” night, and as I was watching warmup, I missed the funky jerseys the Sharks would wear to celebrate. There is room for a solution, and, I think, a will to find one.
Something similar to My Cause My Cleats (how about: My Show My Skates?) works to bring back all of the specialty jerseys — including those for Hockey Fights Cancer — currently in mothballs. There is a lot you could do here. I love the way teams like Buffalo and Winnipeg announce player goal songs on social. Whatever players choose to represent could be announced early on social, with video of what they are going to wear. It would look dynamite and inviting.
8. Asked a few people why they thought Auston Matthews was off to such a hot start. Is he shooting differently? Going to other places on the ice? The No. 1 answer received: “He’s healthy.” Matthews had wrist surgery in August 2021, but may have had another, minor procedure in the summer of 2022 that robbed him of being fully able to train that off-season. Asked Wednesday, Matthews declined to discuss it, making it clear he “wants to focus on the future” and “not make any excuses for what happened last year.”
Geez, I wish my “down years” were that good. Matthews scored 40 goals and had his second-most points (85) in 74 games despite being bothered by hand and knee injuries. But it’s clear now things weren’t right for him the previous summer, and didn’t get on-track for months. He had the opportunity to properly prepare this time, and you see the early results.
9. Five points in two games as Nick Robertson starts his AHL season. It wasn’t easy for him to go back to the Marlies, but all you can do is produce and he’s started right. Apparently, it was pointed out to him that the Maple Leafs carry the minimum 12 forwards, so there will be opportunity for him if something happens. You can also see a situation where if this goes too long, he might ask for a fresh start.
10. Luke Schenn’s injury decreases Nashville’s likelihood as a Conor Garland trade partner. If Dante Fabbro was the desired return, the Predators need him now. But I’m not as certain Nashville is as in on the overall idea as originally thought.
11. After watching him Tuesday night in Vegas, new bold prediction: Miro Heiskanen finally wins the Norris.
12. Thirty continues to be a very important number in negotiating circles. One of the reasons Owen Power’s extension got done is because Buffalo agreed to drop from eight years to seven, so Power’s next contract would kick in before he turns 29. Colorado and Devon Toews would’ve reached an extension long ago if he wasn’t about to turn 30. Teams are hard on the aging curve — 34 appears to be where many think the final drop comes — so that’s a huge factor in all of these conversations. One thing that could help Toews: he’s played only 318 NHL games. Less mileage.
13. On Toews, I think it’s pretty simple: Colorado wants to be piggish and win more Stanley Cups. They feel the optimal route involves him in the lineup, partnering with Cale Makar. They conceded on term, he conceded on salary. But both sides wanted it to work and the Avalanche know they are better with him.
14. Speaking of Makar, during Tuesday’s 4-1 win over Seattle, he reached 250 points in his 241st game, faster than any other defenceman in NHL history. Bobby Orr had the previous record: 247. Makar stands 278th all-time among blue-liners. The NHL record is 1,579 by Ray Bourque. Bourque did it in 1,612 games. At his current pace, Makar would need 1,523 games to pass the Hall of Famer. Let’s wish Makar good health, because he could do it. Who’s going to bet against him?
15. If Edmonton wins the Stanley Cup, remember this: the biggest first-game loss by a team that went on to take it all was the 2019 St. Louis Blues. They lost 5-1 to Winnipeg.
16. The Oilers were shooting 2.4 per cent at five-on-five after two games. No way that was going to continue. But the bigger development was Jack Campbell saving them early before they got going against Nashville on Tuesday.
17. During the pre-season, one NHL executive said you could already feel the pressure to succeed in some organizations. I was surprised, the real games hadn’t started. He was adamant. Now you see it.
Damon Severson, a big off-season acquisition, gets benched in the third period of Columbus’s third game. After two impressive wins over Edmonton, Vancouver coach Rick Tocchet said, “I don’t like to use the word ‘soft,’ but I just didn’t see guys competing” after Tuesday’s loss in Philadelphia. San Jose’s David Quinn also used the “s” word to describe a 6-3 loss to Carolina: “We’ve got to be way more competitive in our battles than we were tonight. … Soft on battles.” (Glenn Healy once told me, “’Soft’ is the worst thing you can call a player, so be careful how you use it.”)
New Jersey’s Lindy Ruff benched Curtis Lazar, John Marino and Timo Meier for the third period Monday against Florida, but his situation is a little different. That’s a good team trying to win, and after a perfect pre-season, Ruff is probably looking for a reason to tighten the screws, drill in everyone’s attention to detail. As Gord Stellick says, there are only so many times a season you can pull this arrow from your quiver. That it’s happening so quickly is proof of the tension.
18. To take this a little further, what’s happened in Washington and Winnipeg is a lesson on why teams are nervous about total rebuilds — even if some of their fans want it. It’s early, so I hesitate to draw too many conclusions, but the Jets drew 11,226 Tuesday against Los Angeles, their lowest non-COVID crowd since returning to Manitoba. The Capitals’ 588-game sellout streak ended Monday versus Calgary.
Jets fans love their hockey, and Washington is a tremendous market where the team missed the playoffs for just the second time in 17 years. There are contributing factors, such as day of the week, cost to attend games, overall quality of the game presentation, etc., but it comes down to one major thing: winning. And, in a gate-driven league, not everyone’s willing to take the big-rebuild chance.
19. Brutal stretch of injuries for the Canadiens, losing Kirby Dach for the season and Kaiden Guhle for a little while. Curious to see if this gives Mattias Norlinder, now at AHL Laval, an opportunity. One thing is very clear: Montreal feels much better about Norlinder than it did a year ago. Much, much improved pre-season performance.
20. An interesting thing in Montreal to start the season: only Martin St. Louis does the verbal work with Juraj Slafkovsky. No confusion, no mixed messages. One voice. The Canadiens know he can fire it, but they’ve also showed video of how going to the net results in goals. Happened for him in the pre-season.
21. There’s hope a solution can be worked out for Carolina’s pro prospects, scattered between the AHL, ECHL and Europe. (One executive said he couldn’t believe the Hurricanes found places for everyone to play.) Some agents and the NHLPA were upset about ECHL demotions — not that it’s a bad league, but because it was felt those players should be at a higher level. The CBA allows for entry-level contracts to be sent there, so Carolina isn’t violating any rules, but those agents and the union are pushing for a better solution.
22. Florida’s first win of the season was Monday over New Jersey. In a funny/cute moment, cameras caught Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov “faking” the post-game high-five he did with Radko Gudas last season.
Gudas signed with Anaheim during free agency. In August, we asked Barkov if there was anyone he couldn’t believe played through injury besides the still-sidelined Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour. He named Gudas. “He went through a lot,” Barkov said. “He’s not soft. He’s not going to skate by (anyone), he’s not going to not block the shot. The way he still played every game is just unbelievable.”
23. Under intense questioning, Barkov would not reveal what head coach Paul Maurice said that night in Toronto when he chewed out his team on the bench during a timeout: “But he got us going, for sure.”
24. Barkov is a huge tennis fan — he attended Wimbledon in the summer — and a very good player. If he played three sets against Novak Djokovic, how many points does he think he could get? “Probably zero,” he answered. What? Really? Not one by accident? “Well, maybe on my serve, If he makes a stupid mistake. … If he keeps returning the ball to me, eventually I will make a mistake.” Admire Barkov’s honesty. “Sometimes, it’s not fun to be honest,” he said, smiling.
25. Something else I wanted to include from the European Media Tour came from Washington’s Martin Fehervary. Data science from SMT, the NHL’s Puck and Player Tracking service, indicates he’s the one player in the entire league who skates faster than Connor McDavid in both maximum velocity and puck-carrying speed. Fehervary clocked 24.2 miles per hour in both instances, compared to McDavid’s 24.1. The Capital defender had heard something about this; wowed and proud at getting more information. “Well, it’s good to be fast,” he said, laughing. “I always (have had) good, explosive power. I was always really fast.”
He added that much of his summer conditioning is geared toward improving the power in his stride. He was sceptical about beating McDavid with the puck. “I don’t think I can compare to him (with the puck) and, well, I probably got lucky.” When he plays Edmonton, he’ll have to line up against McDavid and inform the Edmonton captain about this critical information. “Yeah, I’ll just trash-talk him. ‘You know who’s faster than you?’”
26. Of course, Marek had to ruin this by asking who is the fastest backward skater. Fehervary picked Makar. “His edges, edge work on the blue line, is unreal. I really like his style of game. I think he is really, really, really fast.” Could Fehervary hang with him? “Oh, I think so,” was the reply. “I don’t know. Hopefully.”
27. Marc-Andre Fleury’s potential last start in Montreal, a 5-2 Minnesota win on Tuesday night, was special. Going to be interesting to see what’s in store on Dec. 18, the Wild’s only trip to Pittsburgh.
28. Ten-year pro Scott Harrington ended his tryout with AHL San Diego to sign in Switzerland. Watch for more Canadians going there. It usually means a spot in one of hockey’s great events — the Spengler Cup. With fewer Europeans going to the KHL, there is more competition for Swiss jobs. While that league shuts down for this event, others don’t, so it can be harder to find Canadians in Europe to fill the Spengler roster. Jordie Benn got an out from his Swedish team to play, but not everyone can do it.
29. On one of last week’s podcasts, we wished the NHL would have a Comeback Player of the Year. Someone countered with, “There is one. The Masterton.”
30. Cannot believe the craziness of the Maple Leafs goal song saga. Even the team’s board brought it up. Relax. It’s a song, this is supposed to be a fun debate.
31. Dusty Baker is 74(!). Bruce Bochy is 68, Rob Thomson 60, Torey Lovullo 58. These are the four managers standing in Major League Baseball. There are two lessons: don’t assume your elders are dinosaurs and, if you’re willing to adapt, you can coach for a long time.
32. Brendan Malone, who died last week at age 88, was the first head coach in Toronto Raptors’ history. He was true New York City. If you asked him a question, you were going to get an answer, whether you liked it or not. That 1995-96 season was a real education, recognition that — no matter differing backgrounds — if you showed up every day and treated people properly, you could build healthy relationships.
The Raptors gave the NBA champion Bulls one of their 10 defeats, a game where Michael Jordan’s potential game-winner was released after the buzzer sounded. Days later, Malone and GM Isiah Thomas had a very public spat about playing time for rookies as the Raptors lost by 40 to Shaquille O’Neal’s Orlando Magic. Malone didn’t win that argument, was fired the day after the season.
He left a lengthy message on my home phone, saying that I had a chance to have a good career if I continued on the path I’d started. His message was along the lines of “showing up every day” is key to success, which is very true. Showing up is an underrated skill. There are many good reporters in the NHL who do that better than I do these days, due to my role in the studio. Malone was the epitome of it, a coach for almost 50 years straight in high school, college and the pros, getting to see his son Michael lead the Denver Nuggets to last year’s NBA title.
RIP, and thank you for the lessons learned when I was 25, just starting out.
