Tag Archives: Hockey

Coach’s challenge, expansion draft among topics expected at GM meetings

The NHL's 30 general managers are in Boca Raton, Fla. for their annual meetings.

Here's a look at the expected talking points, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN:

  • Coach's challenge: One of the big questions around this topic is whether the reviews should be handled by the on-ice officials or if the decision should come from the league's war room in Toronto. Much has been made about the size of the screens used by the officials, and the idea of assessing a two-minute delay-of-game penalty to the team that loses a coach's challenge could also be floated as a possibility for next season.
  • Expansion draft: The NHL is expected to present the general outline for a possible expansion draft. While there's been no decision on whether teams will be added, general managers are looking for a heads up in terms of how it could play out so they can plan ahead.
  • Rule 48: It's believed some GMs would like Rule 48 - which addresses hits to the head - to be redefined so it covers incidents where the perpetrator didn't necessarily extend upwards and outwards to make contact with the head, or regardless of whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position. This hit by Anton Stralman on Bryan Little, which was not penalized, is likely to be used as an example:
  • Draft lottery: This is expected to be a hot topic, especially with the Edmonton Oilers in the running to "earn" their fifth first overall pick in seven years. The argument will be made that teams shouldn't be able to win in back-to-back years or two within a certain number of years.
  • Goal scoring: Reducing the size goalie equipment is set to be the likely first step in the quest to increase the number of goals scored around the league.

The meetings were expected to begin Monday at 8 a.m. ET.

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NHL Rumor Mill – March 14, 2016

Check out recent speculation on Mike Hoffman, Jordan Eberle, Cam Ward and more in your NHL rumor mill.  Highlights from Shinzawa’s “Sunday Hockey Notes.” THE BOSTON GLOBE: Fluto Shinzawa doesn’t expect smooth contract negotiations between the Ottawa Senators and pending restricted free agent winger Mike Hoffman. While his numbers (27 goals in 79 games last […]

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 14, 2016

Game recaps, injury updates and the latest on Matt Duchene, Charlie Coyle & more in today’s collection of NHL morning headlines.  THE TAMPA TRIBUNE: Despite losing Valtteri Filppula (upper body) and Nikita Kucherov to injury, the Tampa Bay Lightning blanked the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0. Lightning goalie Ben Bishop made 37 saves while captain Steven […]

Babcock’s Maple Leafs deal Red Wings significant blow

With the last-place Toronto Maple Leafs in town Sunday night, the Detroit Red Wings had a tremendous opportunity to not just jump back ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but to open up a five-point advantage on the surging Philadelphia Flyers.

But they couldn't slip one past Jonathan Bernier.

Behind 38 saves from the Maple Leafs goaltender, Mike Babcock earned his first win in Detroit since leaving the organization last summer, 1-0.

Bernier's clean sheet was his second of the season, and the first shutout by a Maple Leafs netminder in Detroit in more than 15 years.

Michael Grabner underscored what was a highly unusual contest, scoring his first goal in 30 games - and the eventual game-winner - with his backside as he slid into Petr Mrazek's crease after being hauled down on a breakaway.

It's just one defeat from 82 games, but one the Red Wings may live to regret come mid-April.

Babcock led the Red Wings into the playoffs each season in his decade behind the bench, helping extend the organization's longest active postseason appearance streak in North American sports to 24 years. This season, under rookie head coach Jeff Blashill, the Wings will carry a three-point lead over Philadelphia - while conceding two games in hand - into the final month of the campaign after Sunday's loss.

And though his team took the points Sunday, Babcock acknowledged he'll be pulling for his former employer down the stretch.

The Red Wings will visit Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Toronto, meanwhile, remains in last place in the overall standings, but is now three points behind the Edmonton Oilers with a trio of games in hand.

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VIDEO: Maple Leafs’ Grabner backs into 1st goal in 30 games

Michael Grabner pulled out a horseshoe.

The snakebitten Toronto Maple Leafs winger used the seat of his pants to snap a 30-game goalless drought Sunday night while spilling into the Detroit Red Wings net on a breakaway attempt.

Grabner was initially awarded a penalty shot, but after review, it was ruled that the puck did indeed beat his person into the net.

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Lightning lose Kucherov, Filppula to injury in win over Jackets

The Tampa Bay Lightning prevented the cannon from sounding Sunday afternoon in Columbus, but didn't leave Nationwide Arena unscathed.

Forwards Nikita Kucherov and Valtteri Filppula both exited with injuries, and did not return to the 4-0 win.

There was no update after the game, and Kucherov's issue remains unclear, but the Bolts did announce during the game that Filppula suffered an upper-body injury.

It's believed Filppula suffered the knock on a hit from Blue Jackets defender Fedor Tyutin.

Kucherov has 25 goals and 54 points this season, while the modest-scoring but useful Filppula has 28 points and appeared in every game for Tampa.

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