Category Archives: Hockey News

Sullivan: Murray’s ability to deal with adversity ‘beyond his years’

A playoff defeat can be difficult to rebound from for any goaltender, let alone a rookie, but whenever Matt Murray has taken the ice following a loss in these playoffs, the 22-year-old has been simply dominant.

The Pittsburgh Penguins netminder is sporting a 5-0 record with a 1.75 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in the postseason after a defeat, and head coach Mike Sullivan discussed Murray's veteran-like demeanor with reporters Saturday.

"Well, I think he has a quiet confidence about him," Sullivan said. "I think he believes in himself. He knows he's a good goalie. He has shown a maturity level beyond his years in a lot of ways.

"But probably the most impressive way is just his ability to deal with any of the adversity that he faces along the way," he continued. "If one goes in that he thinks he should have had, he has the ability to stay in the moment, try to make the next save. He's a real competitor. We love that about him."

His ability to calm himself down was certainly evident in Game 5. After the Sharks took a quick 2-0 lead in the opening three minutes, Murray admitted he was "a little jittery" in the first period, but was proud of the way he and his team fought back, despite their 4-2 loss.

"I thought I played really well the last two periods," Murray said, according to Sam Werner of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "As a team, we really settled down after a tough start. We came back, stayed resilient."

Though he hasn't been tested near as much as opposing goalie Martin Jones in the series, Murray has been able quiet the San Jose Sharks' high-powered offense for the majority of the Final, and has backstopped his team within a victory of the Stanley Cup.

With a win in Game 6 on Sunday, Murray would not only clinch his franchise's fourth championship, but he would also break an NHL rookie record with 15 wins in a single playoff year - after starting just 13 games in the regular season.

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Crosby: ‘When you think of hockey, you think of Gordie Howe’

As tributes continue to pour in after the loss of Detroit Red Wings legend Gordie Howe, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby spoke to reporters Saturday about what Mr. Hockey meant to him.

"When you think of hockey, that's what you think of. You think of Gordie Howe - the way he played, the way he conducted himself. He was a role model for a lot of people, including myself," Crosby said, according to ESPN's Craig Custance.

"I had the opportunity to meet him and feel pretty fortunate to have done that."

ESPN's Joe McDonald also had a discussion with Crosby about the possibility of the Penguins and San Jose Sharks wearing No. 9 jerseys during warmups prior to Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, and No. 87 said "he's all for it" and would ask the league if they could make that happen.

Crosby wore No. 9 in honor of Howe for a season, while playing at Shattuck-St. Mary's Boarding School in Minnesota as a 15-year-old.

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Microbrewery creates Jagr-themed beer

Jaromir Jagr now has a beer named in his honor.

Ontario microbrewery Block Three Brewing Company is paying tribute to Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr with the new "Jaromir Czech Jagr," a five percent Czech-style pilsner.

The beer is available in bottles and on draft at the brewery, which is located in St. Jacobs, Ontario.

- With h/t to BarDown

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Jack Nicklaus pays homage to Howe: ‘I simply call him a legend’

From one legend to another.

Kind words and memories continue to pour in for Gordie Howe a day after his passing at the age of 88.

The latest such honor comes from one of golf's all-time greats, as Jack Nicklaus recalled his memories of time spent with Mr. Hockey.

Howe's funeral will take place on Wednesday in Detroit.

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Report: Coyotes asked for Hanzal’s ‘trade list’ while discussing extension

The Arizona Coyotes aren't ruling anything out when it comes to forward Martin Hanzal.

While discussing an extension with the 29-year-old, the team has asked for his "trade list," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman notes.

Hanzal still remains under contract with the club through the 2016-17 campaign at a cap hit of $3.1 million, and will become an unrestricted free agent thereafter.

"It sounds like Arizona would like to add at least one defenseman, maybe two," writes Friedman. "But, if Hanzal fetches one, they will also be looking to replace him down the middle."

Despite being limited to just 64 games this season, Hanzal set a career high with 41 points.

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Report: Blue Jackets’ Hartnell waives no-movement clause to several teams

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Scott Hartnell could be on the move.

The 34-year-old has reportedly agreed to waive his no-movement clause, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, citing sources.

According to Friedman, general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and Hartnell's agent Matt Oates didn't comment on the report, but sources say that the list of teams provided by Hartnell is "decent-sized".

Hartnell is coming off his second season with Blue Jackets and saw an 11-point decline this campaign, collecting 23 goals and 49 points while under the guidance of Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella.

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Red Wings’ meeting with Datsyuk postponed for Howe funeral

The Detroit Red Wings' meeting with Pavel Datsyuk - where his decision regarding his playing career will be discussed - has been postponed.

Datsyuk, his agent Dan Milsten, and general manger Ken Holland had originally planned to meet on Wednesday, but will now convene next week so the three men can all attend the funeral of Gordie Howe on Wednesday, Milsten told Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press.

The 37-year-old is expected to sign in the KHL next season and has already received an offer from SKA St. Petersburg.

However, Datsyuk's party has assured that no decision will be made until a meeting is had with Red Wings representatives.

Datsyuk still has one year remaining on his contract with the Red Wings at a cap hit of $7.5 million, a contract Holland has reportedly already begun shopping.

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5 current players whose play emulates Gordie Howe

There will never be another Mr. Hockey.

On Friday the hockey world said goodbye to Gordie Howe, the only man to ever appropriately don the ultimate nickname that encompasses everything the rugged and finesse game is about.

But while he last took to the ice as a member of the NHL in 1980, his impact can still be seen on it nightly.

The players of today's NHL who take to the ice with the same unmatched skill, physicality, and dominance that Howe once delivered to his opponents every time he touched the ice, are a testament to how No. 9 played the game.

Here are five current players that have continued to emulate arguably hockey's greatest.

Corey Perry

Howe's play was tough, sometimes bordering on dirty - just ask Bobby Baun - quite reminiscent of Anaheim Ducks star Corey Perry.

While Perry has been one of the most electric goal scorers in the game over the last handful of seasons - with 212 goals since the 2010-11 season and having only failed to hit the 30-goal plateau during the lockout-shortened 2013 season - his dirty side has also been prevalent.

Just ask Finnish prospect Patrik Laine, who encountered as much at this year's World Championship.

Jonathan Toews

As Howe was during his time, Jonathan Toews has been referred to by many as the best all-around player in the world.

While Toews' offensive production is marginally less on the scale set by Howe - with no scoring titles to his belt - his leadership and incredible well-rounded game make him a star in every sense of the word.

Captain Serious is not afraid to go into the corners, drop the gloves, and earn every inch of the ice, but he also boasts silky soft hands capable of fooling defenders and beating goaltenders, a true Howe trait.

Brent Burns

Few people in the NHL tower over San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns, as few did Howe in his time.

While Burns has become a finesse player with a sly skating ability and wicked shot, he might most emulate Howe in how he takes care of his body.

While he clearly takes care of his flowing beard, the 31-year-old can also always been seen donning a military-style backpack prior to games. A pack that holds protein, tea, and a blender among other oddities.

Of course Burns is also the last player to achieve the infamous "Gordie Howe Hat trick".

Alex Ovechkin

As far as offensive accolades go, no one on the list rivals Howe quite as closely as Alex Ovechkin does.

Ovechkin has three Hart Trophies to his name - still only half as many as Howe - and with 525 career goals, it would seem that staying healthy is all Ovechkin needs to do to one day amass Howe's mark of 801.

Goal scoring aside, few players play with the intensity, passion, and will to win that Ovechkin does nightly. The Washington Capitals captain not only leads on the scoreboard, but is not afraid to lay the body out in order to create room for himself and his teammates, or just simply to ware down the opposition.

Jamie Benn

Jamie Benn is a human bulldozer.

Not only does he have the hands and scoring touch to finish first and second in league scoring the past two seasons respectively, he has the size and brute strength to impose his will on the ice.

Like Howe, Benn also remains humble off the ice, but with 64 penalty minutes in three-straight seasons, it's no question he is a warrior and can beat the opposition on the scoreboard or in the alley.

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Canadiens sign Andrighetto to 1-year extension

The Montreal Canadiens locked up Sven Andrighetto for another year, the team announced Saturday.

The club signed the forward to a one-year deal, with the 23-year-old set to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Andrighetto enjoyed his longest tenure with the Canadiens this season, after being drafted by the team in the third round in 2013. He played a career-high 44 games, chipping in with seven goals and 17 points.

He also contributed 10 goals and 23 points in 26 points with the St. John's IceCaps of the American Hockey League.

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