Category Archives: Hockey News

If Kerry Fraser had one do-over, he’d catch Gretzky’s high stick on Gilmour

A generation later, it's the no-call that still haunts Toronto Maple Leafs supporters: Wayne Gretzky's high stick to the face of Doug Gilmour, in overtime of Game 6 of the Western Conference Final on May 27, 1993, the Maple Leafs up 3-2 in the series over the Los Angeles Kings.

Former NHL referee Kerry Fraser, who worked the game that fateful spring night in Hollywood, opened up about the play Tuesday in The Players' Tribune, saying if he had one do-over, it would be to get that call right.

"I was uncertain but I thought I had it right," Fraser writes about the incident, which he admits he's still asked about to this day. "I'm sorry."

Here's an excerpt from Fraser, describing his perspective on the ice:

Gretzky gets the puck. He shoots it, and my eyes go to the net. But Jamie Macoun blocks it. The puck rebounds between Gretzky and Doug Gilmour. When my eyes go back to Gretzky, I see a motion. Gilmour goes down. Did Gretzky’s stick follow through and catch him? Gilmour’s bent over now. He’s got blood on his chin.

And I have no idea what happened. That’s a helpless, helpless feeling. Under the 1993 rules, if Gretzky high-sticks Gilmour and it draws blood, it’s a five-minute major. He’s gone. It was a huge call to make - a worse one to miss.

Guys from both teams were skating up to me. It didn’t smell right. I should have known when I saw Gretzky skating away. Whenever there was a dispute, Gretz was always at the forefront arguing his side of it. But this time, he kind of slinked away. That was uncharacteristic. That should have tipped me off. But to be honest, I was attempting to roll back the play in my mind, over and over, looking for some measure of recall that would provide the evidence I needed.

If you're of another generation, here's what happened next: Gretzky scored the game-winning goal off the next faceoff. The Kings won 5-4, sending the series back to Toronto for a deciding Game 7, in which Gretzky played one of the best games of his life. He had a hat trick and an assist, the Kings again winning 5-4 and advancing to the Stanley Cup Final.

Who knows what happens if Gretzky's tossed from Game 6, but a Maple Leafs-Montreal Canadiens final was in the cards. Until it wasn't.

More from Fraser:

After the game, the NHL’s director of officiating Brian Lewis came into the referee’s room and said, "Good job tonight, guys." We really thought we got it right. There weren’t all the slow-motion cameras like they have today. It wasn’t until the next day that I saw another angle of the play on television. You could clearly see Gretzky high-sticking Gilmour.

It was missed. Period.

It was agony for Leafs fans. I understand the passion, the emotion and the frustration that Leafs fans have endured. They felt it was their time. When people come up to me and ask about it now, I just try to have a conversation with them. If I had one opportunity to turn back the hands of time for a "do over" it would be to catch that high-stick. I’m sure I’m not alone in that department.

Better late than never, right Maple Leafs fans?

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Karlsson: Boucher the type of coach Senators need

Guy Boucher appears to be the missing piece of the puzzle that is the Ottawa Senators.

Related: Karlsson aiming to take game to next level

Captain Erik Karlsson met with the club's new bench boss three weeks ago, and after picking the brain of good friend and Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman, Karlsson is confident in what Boucher can bring to the club.

"I know a lot of players that have played for him in the past and I’ve heard a lot of good things about him," Karlsson said, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. "From the type of person that he is, to the type of coach and what he believes in.

"He’s a very passionate and intense guy which I think, for the type of team that we have, is going to fit very good. He’s a young mind, we have a younger team and I think what he brings to the table and the way that he believes things work is going to match up with everything that we have in the room."

After an incredible Cinderella run last season scored the Senators a playoff spot, the team regressed during the 2015-16 campaign, finishing 11 points out of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference.

However, Karlsson still believes the Senators have what it takes, and believes Boucher has what it takes to get the best out of the team.

"Things are going to change and it’s going to take awhile for everybody to figure each other out," said Karlsson. "But that’s why we have training camp. The group is still the same. We know each other, what we can do, and what to expect from each and every individual. The way that he wants to play is going to suit our team well."

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NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 8, 2016

Latest Stanley Cup Final news, expansion updates, coaching hires & more in this morning’s NHL headlines.  THE GLOBE & MAIL: James Mirtle explains why Phil Kessel is performing so well in the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs. SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kessel’s performance is so notable that he’s among the contenders for the 2016 Conn Smythe Trophy as […]

Zach Parise calls Scott Stevens hiring an awesome move

After adding Scott Stevens to his staff Tuesday, Minnesota Wild head coach Bruce Boudreau said he thought the Hall of Fame defenseman would have "instant respect" from his players.

He thought right.

Boudreau told AP's Steven Whyno that star forward Zach Parise immediately texted his new bench boss to tell him adding Stevens was an "awesome move."

"He's the quietest and humblest Hall of Famer you'll ever meet," Parise told Michael Russo of the Star Tribune of Stevens - who he knows from his time with the New Jersey Devils. "He's going to be so good for us and our D and PK."

With Stevens locked up, Boudreau is hoping to announce the hiring of a second assistant that will help run the power play early next week. Russo reports former NHLer Steve Thomas may be among those considered.

"You don't get an opportunity to get somebody of Scott's ilk every day, Boudreau said. "If I'm starting with a team that's new, I want everybody to come in thinking, 'Wow this is a great staff.'"

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DeBoer: Depth forwards need to step up with stars struggling

Through four games of the Stanley Cup Final, the stars who carried the San Jose Sharks through the Western Conference are no longer having their way with opposing defenses.

Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer suggested the solution may be getting more production from their depth forwards.

"There is no magic answer. They get a ton of attention," DeBoer said referring to forwards Joe Pavelski and Joe Thornton, according to NBC's Pro Hockey Talk's Cam Tucker. "I think our support group has to take a little bit of pressure off them."

After recording 22 points in the opening three rounds of the playoffs, the Sharks captain has been held off the scoresheet in the Final, while sporting a minus-3 rating. Thornton meanwhile, is also struggling to find the back of the net and sits a minus-3 with just two assists, both recorded in his team's Game 3 victory.

"You have to give Pittsburgh some credit for the job they've done on them," DeBoer continued. "The stars on both sides would tell you there's not a lot of room out there."

The Sharks have received contributions from the bottom-six in their last two games with Joel Ward and Melker Karlsson both lighting the lamp, but more production is needed if San Jose hopes to counter the high-powered offense of the Penguins.

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Avalanche’s ex-GM Greg Sherman leaves team

After 15 years with the Colorado Avalanche, former general manager Greg Sherman is leaving the organization, a team spokesman told The Denver Post on Tuesday.

Sherman served as GM from 2009 to 2014, with his team reaching the playoffs in two of five seasons before being replaced by Joe Sakic, and subsequently demoted to the role of assistant GM.

He was promoted to senior vice president of business and team operations last June, but has now decided to "move on" from the franchise.

The team has not reached the postseason since Sakic took over as general manager.

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NHL silent after executive committee meeting on expansion

The NHL executive committee's meeting on expansion lasted over four hours Tuesday, but there is still no word on whether the league will be adding teams in time for the 2017-18 season.

The nine-member committee - chaired by Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs - was expected to decide on a recommendation to give to the league's Board of Governors when they meet on June 22 in Las Vegas.

They could recommend not to expand at all, delay expansion indefinitely, add one team, or add two teams.

Las Vegas and Quebec City were the only cities to submit applications for the current expansion process, and the potential ownership groups are also yet to hear word on the fate of their bids.

"Nobody has said anything to me," potential Las Vegas owner Bill Foley told Steve Carp of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The league has not expanded since the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined the NHL in 2000.

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Report: Red Wings make offers to re-sign Helm, Miller

Ken Holland is hoping to re-sign a pair of free-agent forwards before July 1.

The Detroit Red Wings have made offers to impending UFAs Darren Helm and Drew Miller, Ansar Khan of MLive.com reports.

A new contract with Miller is expected to be completed soon, while any deal with Helm is likely to come after the free-agent interview process at the end of June.

Miller missed 54 games due to injuries this season, but Holland is hopeful to bring his leadership back to the Wings' dressing room.

"We're working away, hopefully find a solution," Holland said. "He's a good penalty killer, he's a good leader in the room. He doesn't wear a letter but he's well-respected by the younger players. Hopefully we find a solution to keep him here for another year."

Helm, another strong penalty killer, is expected to command between $3.5 million and $4 million per year, according to Khan. The speedy forward has stated interest to stay in Detroit, but is hoping to have his role more clearly defined with the organization.

Meanwhile, Holland has already stated he will not make offers to fellow UFAs Brad Richards and Kyle Quincey before July 1, "if at all."

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