Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.
Sean O'Leary and Josh Wegman of theScore join today's show to compete in a lighthearted game of NHL trivia. Categories include individual awards, Stanley Cup winners, nicknames, and miscellaneous.
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Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
St. Louis Blues captain Alex Pietrangelo admitted his status as one of the NHL's top unrestricted free agents this offseason has been complicated by the coronavirus stoppage.
"There are so many variables that you can bring into this that you don't really know," Pietrangelo told The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. "There are so many unknowns. We were thinking about it for a while; my wife and I certainly had some discussions between us. But it certainly gets pushed aside when you’re sitting at home chasing around these little rug rats all day. I've got family members going through it right now - they're being laid off, they're not being able to work the same way they were a few months ago."
Pietrangelo's seven-year, $45.5-million contract is set to expire after the 2019-20 season, barring an extension. It's unclear if the NHL will be able to resume the current season, and it's also not clear when the free-agency period could begin and what the salary cap will be for the 2020-21 campaign.
On top of the league's uncertainties, the Blues' cap situation as they try to retain their leader is equally complicated. St. Louis has over $79 million committed to next year's roster against a salary cap that is unlikely to grow substantially from this season's $81.5-million limit.
Pietrangelo is poised for a considerable raise over his current $6.5-million cap hit, and general manager Doug Armstrong also needs to sign promising blue-liner Vince Dunn, a restricted free agent.
Pietrangelo was in the midst of a Norris Trophy-caliber season when the league shut down, posting 52 points in 70 games for the Central-leading Blues. Last postseason, the 30-year-old averaged over 25 minutes per game en route to claiming the Stanley Cup.
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The Columbus Blue Jackets signed forward Mikhail Grigorenko to a one-year deal for the 2020-21 season, the team announced Monday.
It's a $1.2-million contract, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
Grigorenko spent the last three seasons with the KHL's CSKA Moscow. While Friedman reports he received better offers to stay in the KHL, Grigorenko wanted to try to make a comeback in the NHL.
The 25-year-old spent five seasons in the NHL after the Buffalo Sabres drafted him 12th overall in 2012. He managed 22 goals and 42 assists in 217 games while playing for the Sabres and later the Colorado Avalanche.
In the KHL, Grigorenko posted 46 goals and 116 points in 147 games. He captured the Gagarin Cup with CSKA Moscow in 2019 and won a gold medal at the 2018 Winter Games with the Olympic Athletes from Russia.
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The Edmonton Oilers were poised to make their second playoff appearance in 14 years before the season was suspended in March, and general manager Ken Holland is finding it hard to come to grips with the disappointment.
"From Dec. 31 on we played at a high level and I think everybody was excited," Holland said, according to TSN.
"We positioned ourselves so that we controlled our own fate, believing that we were going to play our way into the playoffs and when you get to the playoffs, you never know," he added. "When you look at the recent results of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you can throw the regular season stats out the window and it's wide open.
"So I think that's the disappointment of not being able to continue on, but certainly we all understand what's going on in the world today."
With the season on pause, Edmonton sits second in the Pacific Division and would hold home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. Over half of the club's roster - including blue-chippers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl - have skated in 15 or fewer playoff games, and Holland understands how crucial a late-season period like this is for his inexperienced team.
"The 11 regular-season games that were coming up were going to be really valuable for our young players, and we were hopeful we could play our way into the playoffs and then again you play another two weeks and you hope to move onto the next series," he said. "So those are very, very valuable times for all players and for a team."
Holland, who the Oilers hired last May, also expressed how important a postseason run would be as he evaluates his new roster.
"We're trying to obviously build a program here and identify players that we want to go forward with and also identify roles for the team," he noted.
"The young players (Kailer) Yamamoto, Ethan Bear, and Caleb Jones, and I probably missed one or two. Those were the really young players that these games were of the utmost importance in their long-term development," Holland continued.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has said the league is doing its best to explore all options to resume the season, which includes playing games without fans and hosting contests at neutral sites.
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Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.
Wayne Gretzky is confident the NHL will find a way to overcome its current coronavirus-induced pause and resume the 2019-20 campaign in a few months.
"I really believe somehow, someway, that the leadership in this country and in Canada, that we’re going to figure this out," Gretzky told The Canadian Press. "And I really believe that we’ll see hockey and some sort of other sports in June, July, and August, albeit in a different way, but I really see it coming to fruition. I think it’s going to happen."
The NHL halted business operations March 12, and has stated teams will play games into August if they have to. The league is currently weighing numerous scenarios, including how to determine a fair postseason format for teams on the playoff bubble, and whether neutral-site games are feasible while considering border closures and travel restrictions.
It's evident there are plenty of hurdles for the NHL to clear before a potential return, but Gretzky remains positive.
"Maybe I’m wrong," Gretzky said. "Maybe I’m too optimistic. I think I’m not. I hope that that’s a good sign for everyone that we’re moving on in life, in business, in sports. I really see in the next couple months something good happening."
All major sports leagues around the world remain shut down for the foreseeable future. The PGA Tour is the only organization to unveil its contingency plan, recently announcing a return to action without spectators for June 11.
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NHL players and executives have been tuning in to classic broadcasts during the league's hiatus, and the differences between modern hockey and that of yesteryear aren't lost on them.
"It's hilarious how much the game's changed equipment-wise (and) penalty-wise," Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner told The Canadian Press' Joshua Clipperton. "It's kind of funny seeing the hooks and holds, and how you're allowed to do it and allowed to get away with it."
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Ben Chiarot also finds it amusing to see how the league was officiated back in the day.
"That's pretty much all I've been watching on TV, those rewind games," Chiarot said. "It's hilarious when you see Bobby Orr skating and some guy's got his stick wrapped around his waist the whole trip from blue line to blue line. Sometimes I think, 'That wouldn't be too bad if I could just latch my stick on someone and slow him down.'"
The NHL cracked down on obstruction following the 2004-05 lockout with several rule changes meant to reward speed and skill.
"What the hell was a penalty back then?" Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving quipped. "It's unbelievable watching some of these games and just the manslaughter that took place every shift."
Shortly after the NHL paused its season on March 12 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the league began streaming classic games on YouTube. It's now doing so four times a week. Television networks like Sportsnet in Canada have also been airing certain historic contests.
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With the pandemic suspending sporting events worldwide, athletes suddenly have tons of time on their hands. In the latest installment of our weekly NHL series, we look at how they've been keeping themselves entertained - and in shape - while self-isolating.
New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss set up hurdles for his dogs, which earned mixed reviews from his pair of canine pals. We would love to see just how complex this obstacle course can get as the hiatus continues.
@bgally.11 And now all our dreams will come true... getting to watch @nicksuzuki14 throw it back! ##trickshotchallenge ##fyp
♬ original sound - sapphirestories
Brendan Gallagher has become a staple in this series over the weeks, providing constant entertainment in the form of TikToks. In his latest show, he drains a near-impossible trick shot in a bet with teammate Nick Suzuki. The "Miracle" speech in the background was an incredible touch.
David Pastrnak has officially reached the "treat races with the dog" level of quarantine. 😅
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 18, 2020
(🎥: IG/davidpastrnak) pic.twitter.com/ibjoDos2Df
Since his race for the Rocket Richard Trophy is on pause, David Pastrnak has decided to race his dog for treats. Honestly, we're not sure what's more entertaining.
Biggest hit of the quarantine????🤷🏿♂️😂.. haven’t been hit that hard since my rookie year! Lucy has no chill💨🐶 @lindseyvonn pic.twitter.com/6VsAyq5pj5
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) April 14, 2020
Poor P.K. Subban probably thought he was safe from such devastating body checks during the lockdown.
NHLers sure love their dogs, eh?
Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin was another player to document his time off with his closest pals, showcasing his impressive backyard setup and how his pups help keep his skills sharp.
Fun Joel Quenneville fact for you... he hasn't had a new pair of skates since 1977. 😂 pic.twitter.com/33dQlDS5hD
— NHL (@NHL) April 18, 2020
Coaches need attention too, right? Three of the league's best teamed up for a conference call this past week, where Florida Panthers boss Joel Quenneville revealed he's not one to change what once worked for him.
@capitals Great editing photo editing tip! Much better now ##photomagic ##retouch
♬ original sound - marianna_hewitt
This isn't necessarily a textbook hiatus diary, but was undoubtedly one of the best social media posts in the hockey world this past week. The Capitals used a popular TikTok format to take a friendly jab at their old nemesis, and we applaud the execution.
.@AM34 breaks down hockey scenes from movies for #GQSports: pic.twitter.com/eocb4TuQqc
— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) April 14, 2020
If you're tired of binging movies in your down time, change things up courtesy of Auston Matthews, who broke down some classic hockey flicks for your viewing pleasure.
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