All posts by Josh Wegman

Necas’ 4-point game leads Czechia past Sweden in semis

Host Czechia is heading to the gold-medal game of the World Championship for the first time since 2010 after defeating Sweden 7-3 in Saturday's semifinal.

Martin Necas was dominant for the Czechs, tallying the game-winner and three assists in the contest. Dominik Kubalik and Lukas Sedlak also put forth strong performances, notching two goals apiece, in front of a raucous crowd in Prague.

Sweden held 1-0 and 2-1 leads, but Czechia scored four straight goals to secure the victory.

Marcus Johansson opened the scoring for Sweden 3:39 into the game when he drove the middle of the ice and fired one past Lukas Dostal's glove. Czechia evened things out when Kubalik pounced on a juicy rebound by Filip Gustavsson 7:48 into the first period. However, Marcus Pettersson responded immediately, regaining the lead for the Swedes 20 seconds later.

It was all Czechia the rest of the way, though. David Kampf continued the eventful period by tying things up for the Czechs with a heavy shot from the slot off a slick centering feed by Necas. It marked the contest's fourth goal before the midway mark of the first period.

Ondrej Kase - hopeful of an NHL return - put Czechia ahead in the second frame with some deft patience in front of the net after the puck ricocheted off an official. It was the first time Sweden had trailed the entire tournament.

Necas doubled the lead for the hosts with a one-time blast right off a faceoff that completely froze everyone in yellow and blue. Kubalik added another with a five-hole blast on a three-on-two rush, chasing Gustavsson from the game in favor of Samuel Ersson. Gustavsson finished the contest having allowed five goals on 17 shots.

Joel Eriksson Ek got one back for the Swedes on the power play late in the second, but it wasn't enough. Sedlak scored a pair of nearly identical breakaway goals with a backhand five-hole move in the third period to seal the deal for Czechia.

The host country will face Switzerland in the final.

The semifinal victory guarantees Czechia its best tournament finish since winning gold in 2010. It last medaled when it won bronze in 2022.

Sweden, who was a perfect 7-0-0-0 in the preliminary round before defeating Finland in OT in the quarters, had only allowed 10 total goals in the tournament entering Saturday. It will play for bronze on Sunday in search of its first medal since winning back-to-back golds in 2017 and 2018.

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Jets promote Arniel to head coach

The Winnipeg Jets hired Scott Arniel as their new head coach, the team announced Friday.

The 61-year-old has been the Jets' associate coach for the past two seasons under Rick Bowness, who retired earlier in May.

Arniel served as the Jets' interim coach on two separate occasions during the 2023-24 season while Bowness was on personal leave, guiding the team to a 10-5-2 record.

His only other NHL head coaching gig came from 2010-12 with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He led Columbus to a 45-60-18 record during parts of two seasons.

Arniel has also held NHL assistant coaching jobs with the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, and Buffalo Sabres. He was previously the head coach of the AHL's Chicago Wolves and Manitoba Moose.

A left-winger during his 11-year NHL playing career, Arniel was drafted by the original Jets in the second round in 1981 and played six seasons with the club, reaching the 20-goal mark twice.

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Blackhawks move from 20th to 18th in draft via trade with Islanders

The Chicago Blackhawks moved up two spots from 20th to 18th in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft after making a deal with the New York Islanders on Friday, the teams announced.

Here's the full trade (all picks are in 2024):

CHI receives NYI receives
Pick No. 18 Pick No. 20
Pick No. 50 Pick No. 54
Pick No. 61

The Blackhawks also move up four spots in the second round. The Islanders, meanwhile, gain an additional second-round pick for moving down a total of six spots.

The 20th pick originally belonged to the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of the Brandon Hagel trade in 2022. Picks 54 and 61 originally belonged to the Los Angeles Kings and Vancouver Canucks, respectively.

Chicago also holds the No. 2 pick in the draft and still possesses its own second- and third-round picks.

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Waddell resigns as Canes GM, Tulsky named interim replacement

Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell resigned from his post Friday, the team announced.

Assistant general manager Eric Tulsky will take over for Waddell on an interim basis with the support of fellow assistant Darren Yorke. The organization has begun a full search for a permanent GM.

Waddell's contract was set to expire.

The club had reportedly granted Waddell permission to speak with other teams, as he interviewed for the Columbus Blue Jackets' GM vacancy on Thursday. Carolina and Columbus represent the NHL's only two GM openings.

"This morning, I spoke with (owner Tom Dundon) and informed him that I have come to the decision that now is the time for me to move to the next chapter of my career," Waddell said.

"I have loved my experiences in the Triangle over the past 10 years, and together with a strong team, on and off the ice, we have accomplished many great victories. I am grateful for the support I have received from so many loyal Caniacs. This organization is in strong, capable hands and well-positioned for the future."

Waddell joined the Hurricanes on the business end as team president in 2014 before taking over as GM in 2018. He comes from a hockey background, though, having served as GM of the Atlanta Thrashers from 1998-2010.

The Hurricanes made the playoffs in each of Waddell's six years as GM, winning three straight division titles from 2021-23 and making the conference finals in 2019 and 2023.

Tulsky, who holds a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Harvard and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Cal, has long been considered a bright, up-and-coming executive and has interviewed for other GM openings around the league in the past.

He got his start with the Hurricanes' front office as a consultant in 2014 after the club took notice of his usage of analytics as a blogger. He's been working his way up the food chain ever since, becoming a hockey analyst for the team in 2015, the manager of hockey analytics in 2017, and the vice president of hockey management and strategy in 2018 before being named assistant GM in 2020.

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Waddell resigns as Hurricanes GM, Tulsky named interim replacement

Carolina Hurricanes president and general manager Don Waddell resigned from his post Friday, the team announced.

Assistant general manager Eric Tulsky will take over for Waddell on an interim basis with the support of fellow assistant Darren Yorke. The organization has begun a full search for a permanent GM.

Waddell's contract was set to expire.

The club had reportedly granted Waddell permission to speak with other teams, as he interviewed for the Columbus Blue Jackets' GM vacancy on Thursday. Carolina and Columbus represent the NHL's only two GM openings.

"This morning, I spoke with (owner Tom Dundon) and informed him that I have come to the decision that now is the time for me to move to the next chapter of my career," Waddell said.

"I have loved my experiences in the Triangle over the past 10 years, and together with a strong team, on and off the ice, we have accomplished many great victories. I am grateful for the support I have received from so many loyal Caniacs. This organization is in strong, capable hands and well-positioned for the future."

Waddell joined the Hurricanes on the business end as team president in 2014 before taking over as GM in 2018. He comes from a hockey background, though, having served as GM of the Atlanta Thrashers from 1998-2010.

The Hurricanes made the playoffs in each of Waddell's six years as GM, winning three straight division titles from 2021-23 and making the conference finals in 2019 and 2023.

Tulsky, who holds a B.A. in chemistry and physics from Harvard and a Ph.D. in chemistry from Cal, has long been considered a bright, up-and-coming executive and has interviewed for other GM openings around the league in the past.

He got his start with the Hurricanes' front office as a consultant in 2014 after the club took notice of his usage of analytics as a blogger. He's been working his way up the food chain ever since, becoming a hockey analyst for the team in 2015, the manager of hockey analytics in 2017, and the vice president of hockey management and strategy in 2018 before being named assistant GM in 2020.

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Report: Hurricanes discussing contracts with Guentzel, Skjei

The Carolina Hurricanes continue to have discussions with pending unrestricted free agents Jake Guentzel and Brady Skjei, reports The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.

Carolina landed Guentzel from the Pittsburgh Penguins in a trade-deadline splash. The 29-year-old winger was a seamless fit with the Hurricanes, producing 25 points in 17 games after the deal. He also added four goals and five assists in 11 playoff games.

There's reportedly mutual interest in an extension, as the two parties have already had multiple discussions. Guentzel, who's averaged 36 goals per 82 games and tallied 38 goals in 69 career postseason contests, is in line for a sizeable payday.

Skjei has been with the Hurricanes for five seasons and is coming off a career-high 47-point campaign. The 30-year-old boasts good size at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and has developed into a stellar two-way defenseman over the last few seasons. Contract talks have reportedly been ongoing since last summer.

However, if Skjei does return to Carolina, it may be without his defense partner of the last few seasons. The Hurricanes have been at a standstill with blue-liner Brett Pesce for nearly 10 months, and the two sides are apart on both term and salary, reports LeBrun.

Pesce has spent his entire nine-year NHL career in Raleigh. While he's not as offensively gifted as Skjei, he's very steady defensively. He also shoots right and brings some size at 6-foot-3, 206 pounds.

The Hurricanes are currently without a full-time general manager after Don Waddell resigned on Friday. Eric Tulsky is serving as interim GM amid a search for Waddell's replacement.

But whoever takes over for Waddell permanently stands to have a busy summer on their hands, as the club has several other notable pending UFAs, including Teuvo Teravainen, Jordan Martinook, Stefan Noesen, and Jalen Chatfield. Their list of restricted free agents includes Seth Jarvis, Martin Necas, and Jack Drury.

One key piece of internal business has already been taken care of, as the Hurricanes re-signed head coach Rod Brind'Amour to a multi-year deal Sunday.

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Landeskog hopes to play in 2024-25

Fear not, Colorado Avalanche fans: Gabriel Landeskog hopes to resume his playing career next season.

The announcement that Landeskog and Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland would speak at a press conference Thursday led to some speculation the captain was retiring, but that was not the case.

"I think I'd dress up a bit (if I was announcing my retirement)," Landeskog said to open the presser, sporting a team-issued T-shirt and baseball cap.

Landeskog missed the last two seasons with knee injuries. The forward last played in Game 6 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final when the Avalanche won their third-ever championship.

There is still no target for his return, but there is optimism he'll play at some point next season.

"There's no point in me setting a timeline or set even a benchmark. ... You're just setting yourself up to be disappointed and pissed off when it doesn't happen," Landeskog said.

The 31-year-old added, "I've felt really good now for two straight months physically, with no setbacks, minor or major. So that's a real positive."

Landeskog underwent a knee cartilage transplant in May 2023 - a procedure no NHL player has successfully returned from. It was his third knee surgery in a 15-month span.

MacFarland said in September 2023 that he hoped Landeskog would be back for the 2024 playoffs. Landeskog skated with the team for the first time in January but was never cleared to return to game action. He said not being able to play in the postseason was "kind of a slow form of torture."

The Avalanche defeated the Winnipeg Jets in Round 1 but were bounced in Round 2 by the Dallas Stars.

"Mentally, I felt pretty close at times," Landeskog said. "I'm like, 'All right, well, I can do this. I can go out there for a few shifts here and there.' But I think the best decision was made for me to focus on what I was doing throughout the entire playoffs. As hard as it was and as much as I wanted to be out there, it was ultimately the best decision for my health and I think long term for this organization as well."

One of the game's premier power forwards, Landeskog recorded 30 goals and 29 assists in 51 games in 2021-22. He added 22 points in 20 contests during Colorado's Cup run.

The Avalanche selected Landeskog No. 2 overall in the 2011 draft. They made him the youngest captain in NHL history at 19 years old in 2012.

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Pettersson says he played like ‘shit’ the last few months, confirms knee injury

Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson admits he's ready for a much-needed summer reset after a gruelling season that was filled with drama, inconsistent play, and a nagging injury.

"It will be nice to get a break from everything," Pettersson said Thursday, per TSN's Farhan Lalji. "It's been a very noisy season in terms of the contract and how shit I've been the last few months."

Pettersson confirmed that he had been dealing with a knee injury since January. The ailment will not require surgery, though.

It's unclear exactly when Pettersson sustained the injury. He struggled down the stretch, and there's a noticeable discrepancy in his production before and after the All-Star break.

Stat Before break After break
GP 49 33
G 27 7
A 37 18
P/GP 1.31 0.76

Pettersson's struggles continued into the postseason, where he only managed one goal and five assists in 13 games prior to Vancouver's second-round exit at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers. His six points were the seventh most on the team.

Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet called out Pettersson after Game 4 of Round 2, noting that the star Swede was among the team's passengers.

Pettersson signed an eight-year, $92.8-million extension in March. His $11.6-million cap hit makes him the Canucks' highest-paid player.

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Allvin, Nill, Zito up for NHL’s GM of the Year

The Vancouver Canucks' Patrik Allvin, Dallas Stars' Jim Nill, and Florida Panthers' Bill Zito were named the three finalists of the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award on Thursday.

Allvin, who was hired in January 2022, guided the Canucks to their first division title since 2013 and their first postseason appearance since 2020. He gave the Canucks' blue line a much-needed overhaul, acquiring defensemen Filip Hronek, Carson Soucy, Nikita Zadorov, and Ian Cole over the last year and a half. He also hired Rick Tocchet - the 2024 Jack Adams Award winner - as head coach in January 2023.

Nill's Stars led the Western Conference in points during the regular season and are in the Western Conference Final. Nill, who won the award in 2023 and has been finalist four times, has built through the draft during his 11 seasons at the helm, producing homegrown talent such as Miro Heiskanen, Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz, Jake Oettinger, Thomas Harley, Wyatt Johnston, and Logan Stankoven. Defenseman Chris Tanev, a 2024 deadline addition, has been a crucial piece of Dallas' playoff run.

Zito has the Panthers in the final four for the second year in a row; the club lost in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. He's a finalist for the award for the third time in four years but is seeking his first win. He made several key depth additions over the past year, including Vladimir Tarasenko, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dmitry Kulikov, Niko Mikkola, and Anthony Stolarz.

The winner will be announced June 10.

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Sweeney: Bruins are ‘going to be aggressive’ this offseason

Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney vows to be on the attack this summer.

"We're going to be aggressive," Sweeney said, per the Boston Globe's Conor Ryan. "I've got to find the players to complement our group."

The Bruins, fresh off a second-round exit, project to have over $20 million in cap space this offseason. As for what they could stand to add, speed is a priority.

"We're not as fast as we'd like to be," team president Cam Neely said.

But there's also internal business to address. Winger Jake DeBrusk is the team's top pending unrestricted free agent, while goaltender Jeremy Swayman is the most pressing restricted free agent.

Sweeney added that locking up Swayman is high on his offseason to-do list.

"It's a priority and it will continue to be a priority," Sweeney said.

Swayman is coming off a stellar regular season in which he posted a .916 save percentage in 44 games. He was even better in the playoffs - he was inarguably the team's best player - recording a .933 save percentage in 12 contests.

With fellow goalie Linus Ullmark entering the last year of his deal, there are rumors the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner could be on the move. He was reportedly almost traded to the Los Angeles Kings at the deadline but used his no-trade clause to nix the deal.

After Ullmark took a back seat to Swayman in the playoffs, there's further speculation that the former could be traded. Ideally, though, Sweeney hopes to keep them both.

"In a perfect world, we'd love to keep the tandem because it's damn good," he said.

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