NHL category, Page 67
Madden Monday: How MLB and NHL are getting in their own way, Steelers talk
After a week off, the “Madden Monday” podcast is back. Mark Madden and Tim Benz take a long look at attempts to reboot the NHL and MLB seasons. Why are both leagues constantly getting in their own way? From a hockey perspective, the issue seems to be how long things...
NHL reveals further details for potential postseasonVideo
The NHL revealed Thursday a few more details of its return to play plan for a postseason that would take place in summer. • While the qualifying round to formally enter the playoffs will involve best-of-five series, all four rounds of the actual playoffs will be best-of-seven series. When the...
NHL post-quarantine: Recapturing team chemistry a challengeVideo
Claude Giroux’s Philadelphia Flyers were the hottest team in the NHL when hockey still was being played. That was more than two months ago and their next game could be two more months away. He can’t predict how things might go if the season resumes. “I don’t know,” Giroux said....
NHL recognizes Presidents’ Trophy, scoring title and goaltending award winnersVideo
The timetable remains fluid for the NHL’s return to play, but the league Thursday reaffirmed that the regular season is over when it announced winners of three trophies that are automatically awarded based on the regular-season performance of teams or individuals. The Boston Bruins were recognized in all three categories....
NHL monitoring situation before choosing where to play gamesVideo
Concerns about Canadian coronavirus restrictions could push hockey south of the 49th parallel into the U.S. this summer. Seven of the 10 locations the NHL has zeroed in on to hold playoff games if it resumes are American cities not restricted by Canada’s 14-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival. As 24...
Mark Madden on ‘superficial’ Steelers, ‘cowardly’ Pitt, ‘creep’ Vince McMahon
This week’s “Madden Monday” podcast comes at you a day later than normal because of the Memorial Day weekend. But that just gives us more content to unearth. We start with Mark’s column over the weekend. It examines the Steelers’ locker room culture. Mark believes it has become too superficial....
Mental health no longer dirty words in macho world of NHL
LOS ANGELES — Hockey players are celebrated for their toughness. It’s common for a player to absorb a booming hit without flinching, or to lose a row of teeth to an errant puck and say he’s sorry he had to miss a shift to get sewn up. Tape an aspirin...
Report: NHL players to approve return-to-play formatVideo
NHL players are expected to approve a return-to-play plan that includes a 24-team playoff format, according to reports Friday night. TSN’s Bob McKenzie reported debate got “a little bit heated” as the NHL Players Association executive board discussed the issue, but the measure has the support of at least the...
NHL considers ‘8 or 9 different places’ to serve as sites to finish seasonVideo
The NHL continues to consider options to finish this season, with the selection of multiple “hub” cities appearing to offer the most likely path to accomplish that. Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday the league is considering “probably eight or nine different places” that could accommodate “a dozen or so teams...
Robert Morris’ Natalie Marcuzzi signs with Toronto’s NWHL team
Former Robert Morris forward Natalie Marcuzzi has signed with the Toronto franchise in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). Terms of the contract were not announced. A native of Thornhill, Ont., Marcuzzi was a fourth-round selection of the expansion franchise which has not yet announced its nickname. As a senior...
Devils goalie Schneider says players are becoming more concerned as pause lingersVideo
Veteran New Jersey Devils goaltender Cory Schneider said Monday a growing number of players are concerned the NHL will announce a “drop-dead” deadline for returning to play as the coronavirus pandemic lingers with summer coming up fast. The 34-year-old Schneider said some Devils are apprehensive because the NHL has said...
AP Source: Coyotes president Ahron Cohen no longer with teamVideo
GLENDALE, Ariz. — Arizona Coyotes president and CEO Ahron Cohen is no longer with the organization, a person familiar with the move told the Associated Press. The person spoke Tuesday on condition of anonymity because no formal announcement has been made. No other details were provided. Cohen has been with...
NCAA leading scorer Dugan agrees to join Vegas Golden KnightsVideo
LAS VEGAS — NCAA leading scorer Jack Dugan agreed Monday to turn pro and join the Vegas Golden Knights. Dugan was a fifth-round pick of the Golden Knights during their first draft in 2017. Because of his age, his NHL entry-level contract beginning next season would be for two years....
Mixed feelings around hockey about holding NHL Draft earlyVideo
The NFL’s successful virtual draft and uncertainty surrounding the resumption of hockey this season have raised the possibility of an NHL Draft held before the Stanley Cup Final. After postponing its draft scheduled for June 26-27 in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the NHL is considering having it earlier in...
‘Slap Shot’ still iconic in hockey despite sport’s changesVideo
A few nights after one of their players was injured by a dirty hit, the Johnstown Jets plotted to exact some revenge on Buffalo’s Greg Neeld. An all-out brawl broke out during warm-ups, and the North American Hockey League game was postponed, much to the dismay of ownership and presumably...
Capitals cut ties with Leipsic after disparaging comments
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Washington Capitals on Friday placed Brendan Leipsic on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract after he made disparaging comments about women and teammates in a private social media chat. In a conversation involving his brother and Florida Panthers minor leaguer Jack Rodewald, Leipsic commented on the...
Alain Vigneault, Flyers hope to continue Stanley Cup pursuitVideo
PHILADELPHIA — Gritty is the home school teacher the world needs right now. The furry Flyers mascot offers an education of sorts each weekday on Instagram with ” Gritty’s 1/4 Hour of Power,” and his top student one day this week was forward Joel Farabee. Gritty played charades with Farabee,...
NHL exploring ways to finish season, including playing only in select citiesVideo
Get used to the concept of pods and pucks if the NHL is going to have any chance of completing its season, with the most likely scenarios calling for games in empty, air-conditioned arenas during the dog days of summer. What is emerging as the leading plan involves bringing teams...
First Call: Steelers 2021 draft pick, more Tom Brady rules debates, smelly Penguin
Wednesday’s “First Call” is actually “Last Call” for the week. After plowing through the NFL Draft last weekend, “Breakfast With Benz” is closing the kitchen until Monday. So we go out by making Steelers fans angry over yet another rules debate surrounding Tom Brady. A new Steeler makes his grandmother...
Clock ticking for NHL veterans as they might face final chance at Stanley CupVideo
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Goaltender Pekka Rinne scratched scoring a goal off his NHL bucket list this season. Winning the Stanley Cup? That remains on the list with the season suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic amid concerns next season will be affected, too. Rinne, a three-time All-Star and former Vezina...
NHL goalies try to find ways to stay sharp during shutdownVideo
TORONTO — Vancouver Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom is using a tennis ball machine as part of his training to stay sharp. Columbus Blue Jackets counterpart Joonas Korpisalo doesn’t have that technology at his disposal during the coronavirus pandemic, so a wall has had to do the trick. Toronto’s Frederik Andersen...
Can Alex Ovechkin catch Wayne Gretzky? ‘The Great One’ rooting for himVideo
Wayne Gretzky sees a lot of himself in Alex Ovechkin, from the smile on his face each time he steps on the ice to his passion for scoring goals. There are also differences, like Gretzky’s sole focus on the NHL growing up in Brantford, Ontario, versus Ovechkin’s upbringing in Moscow....
Target of racial slur open to 2nd chance for ex-NHL coach Bill PetersVideo
Bill Peters is back in hockey, and Akim Aliu — the player whose racial allegations led to the former Calgary Flames coach’s resignation — said he’s open to people getting second chances. “Only with the past behind us can we focus on the future,” Aliu wrote in a text to...
First Call: Watt brothers star on ‘Tonight Show’; sports movie ideas for Stephen King’s list
For “First Call” Wednesday, we try to help out renowned horror writer Stephen King. And the Watt brothers take over “The Tonight Show.” The offseason of the Watt brothers continues. Steelers T.J. and Derek Watt joined older brother J.J. Watt during a segment on “The Tonight Show” Tuesday. It was...
With NHL on hiatus, Stanley Cup gets locked awayVideo
Phil Pritchard spent a recent afternoon carrying groceries back to his home outside Toronto — a far cry from taking the Stanley Cup around North America in the heat of the NHL playoffs. Hockey is on hold, the Stanley Cup is locked away in its case at the Hockey Hall...
