NHL Style Rankings: Rangers D-Man Steals the Show From Patrik Laine
Nov 2, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 11: K'Andre Miller #79 and Jacob Trouba #8 of the New York Rangers walk the blue carpet prior to the home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden on October 11, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
If I had to describe the NHL fashion scene through the first month of the 2022-23 season in one cliche phrase, "good not great" comes to mind.
We've got Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine cornering the market on the bangers. Meanwhile, inaugural style rankings King David Pastrnak is nowhere to be found off the ice (on the ice is a completely different story).
So far, I'm left wanting a lot more innovation. But at the same time, it feels like the style of the whole league is trending up on average.
I guess I'll take it.
As a quick reminder, you can find the original NHL style rankings right here on Bleacher Report every other Wednesday. Now let's get into Round 2.
I have a well-documented love/hate relationship with hatsāI love them when they actually complement an outfit, I hate them when they look like a prop. Jets forward Adam Lowry has a well-documented collection of hats. This has led to a hit-or-miss history with Lowry and the style rankings, but his 2022-23 debut is a hit.
Everything about this fit, including the hat, is seamless right down to the greyscale. And, honestly, if you're going to do a hat, your best bet is the hat/pinstripe combo.
As a bonus, Lowry paid homage to the Jets' Heritage Blues with a dash of red. Social media managers, please take note: We need more shoe pictures!
9. Erik Karlsson
Previously: Unranked
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Somehow, this is not only Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson's season debut, but his first-ever appearance in the style rankings since their inception last season. But the notoriously stylish Swede has finally made it with this tweed number. This shade of blue looks great on him, and in all, it's a cohesive and trendy finish.
He also rolled up to the rink in that second look Tuesday and scored his first career hat trick. Look good, play good, things of that nature. What a start to the season for Karlsson!
The more I learn about Sabres forward Tage Thompson, the more I like the guy. The Sabres got to pick individual goal songs this year, and he went with a classic: "Fishin' In The Dark" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Then he scored a hat trick at home and let the people listen to it three times.
He's got six goals and 12 points in nine games, and I don't know if it's correlation or causation, but his looks have been reflecting his play recently. He gets extra points for the tailoring considering he's 6'6".
Your favorite style icon's favorite style icon, Senators forward Mathieu Joseph, makes his season debut at No. 7.
Where do we even begin with this one? Joseph is simply crushing the double breast. And when you're going double-breast, you can get a little dramatic with the hat. Well done.
Loving the pattern range here with Panthers forward Patric Hƶrnqvist's first looks of the season--he's giving the people a little bit of everything. I also absolutely love the color scheme of the second look, between the shades of green and the brown shoes. Earthy tones for the win.
To be completely honest with you, he's been on my radar for a whileāhe's made the rankings a few times in the past! But as they say, it's a "what have you done for me lately?" league, and his tailoring was holding him back earlier this season.
I know tailoring is hard for the big boys, and Zadorov's 6'5" stature isn't doing him any favors in that aspect, but he's figured it out with his most recent looks, and it's fantastic. I'm sorry I ever doubted you!
Sometimes, I get legitimately sad thinking about all the outfits we've missed out on just because there aren't photos. That's not all on social teamsāone time Mikhail Sergachev told me Andrei Vasilevskiy arrives at the rink too early for the paparazzi.
And contrary to our style rankings wants and needs, the priority here is playing hockey. I'll bet that's why we haven't seen Pastrnak's look in a whileāthe man is on a heater, and we have to let him cook.
Anyways, shout out to Twitter user @9kempe for showing us Maple Leafs forward William Nylander's look here, because otherwise, I would've totally missed it. Nylander's known around the league for his style, and I'm so glad we're getting a taste of it now.
I will always love Laine for taking his risks, especially when it feels like no one else is. I'm loving the outer-space theme he's been showcasing through the first month of the season, and here we have his latest installment of astronaut chic.
We all hold him to a high standard around here, so we need to remember there's absolutely no shame in not being No. 1 every single week. This look (and one of my favorite recurring suits of his in the second photo) keeps Laine in the top three.
Is there a new Bruins-style icon in town? No shade, no tea to Pastrnak, who just hasn't been in many photos for whatever reason. But goalie Linus Ullmark's looks have been as impressive as they've been consistent lately--and you get extra points for consistency.
If you're gonna do the three-piece suit thing, you might as well do it big. This has been Ullmark's M.O. through the first month of the season, and I am here for it.
The outrage was palpable when Rangers defenseman K'Andre Miller didn't make the first round of style rankings this season, and I loved the passion from Blueshirt nation. Frankly, Miller deserves the hype.
I didn't hate the two suits I saw from him ahead of the first rankings, but I didn't love them, either. Part of that is because I hold him to such a high standard. I felt validated when I saw him in this masterpiece on Oct. 20, and although I gave everyone else a fair look, I sort of knew he'd be debuting at No. 1.
At only 22-years-old, Miller's making a name for himself on and off the ice with his potential as part of this young Rangers core and his style that oozes New York City class. His looks are rarely the loudest in the room, but they don't have to be.
Take this look for example. I've seen a few iterations of this pink and red color scheme recently in the NHL, and they've looked nice, but the texture of the red suit and tie and the juxtaposition of the pink shirt take Miller to another level, here. Add the peace sign pose, the glasses and the matching phone case, and he doesn't need some wild pattern or hat.
He's just got it, and everyone knows it.
Dare I say Miller's subtle-yet-strong swagger is reminiscent of King Henrik Lundqvist himself?
Winners and Losers of Nazem Kadri Signing with the Calgary Flames
Aug 19, 2022
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 22: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche attends warm ups before playing in Game Four of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on June 22, 2022 in Tampa, Florida.
Not everyone in the NHL goes to the cottage in August.
Someālike
Nazem Kadriāspent their offseason sweating out where they would play next
season and beyond. Kadri got to kick his feet up and relax Thursday after he signed
a seven-year, $49 million contract with the Calgary Flames.
Kadri was supposed to wind up on Long Island, instead heās
headed for the Canadian Rockies. More importantly for the Flames, they found a
way to complete a roster shakeup that was not planned for when they were
eliminated from the playoffs by their bitter rival Edmonton Oilers at the end
of May.
The salary cap-pushing Flames werenāt done there. They traded
Sean Monahan and a conditional 2025 first-round pick (with some wild
conditions) to the Montreal Canadiens for future considerations. Monahan,
headed into the final year of his contract, has a $6 million cap hit which is
plenty enough to help Calgary get under the upper limit.
Making the moves is one thing but making them work is
something else entirely. Thatās why weāre going to give snap judgments and
decide who won and who lost out of all this.
Winner: Nazem Kadri
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JUNE 26: Nazem Kadri #91 of the Colorado Avalanche carries the Stanley Cup following the series winning victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Six of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Amalie Arena on June 26, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
A staggering choice for a winner, right?
Kadri went from being a playoff liability for whatever team
he played for to a key performer for the Colorado Avalanche in winning
the Stanley Cup. It also helps he is coming off an out-of-this-world career season
in which he had 87 points (his previous career-high was 61 in 2016-2017). It was the perfect storm of a season for a solid player heading into free agency
and he came away with the bag.
He locked up a long-term deal and a payout that will give him
the highest cap hit on the Flames this season (Huberdeau's eight-year, $84
million extension begins next season). Kadri will be 32 when the season begins, which means this deal will take him until he's nearly 39 years old and at the likely
end of his career. If Calgary can recreate some of the Avalancheās high-octane
offense, itāll lean into Kadriās strengths and allow him the chance to recreate
the success he had last year.
Loser: Lou Lamoriello
MONTREAL, QUEBEC - JULY 08: General manager Lou Lamoriello of the New York Islanders is seen prior to Round Two of the 2022 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bell Centre on July 08, 2022 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Kadri was supposed to be an Islander. The rumors and
speculation all pointed in that direction, and it didnāt happen. After all,
there was virtually no hints for nearly a month about what was going on with
Kadri and when thereās radio silence, that generally points toward Isles GM Lou
Lamoriello being involved.
Think back to last season when the only thing that pointed
toward Zach Parise and Zdeno Chara signing with the Islanders was a lot of
speculation. It wasn't until September that those signings were announced just ahead
of training camp. The logic made sense that Kadri would be headed to Long
Island because it followed a similar pattern.
Kadri is a big-name player available and wouldāve addressed
a need. He also wouldāve made Isles fans a bit happier about the team which
hasnāt announced a player move since they traded their 2022 first-round pick to
Montreal for Alexander Romanov and a fourth rounder at the draft.
While itās likely Lamoriello has made some moves and kept
them quiet (they have a
few RFAs to re-sign) silence is not golden and it's arguable the Islanders
have not improved a roster that wildly underperformed last season.
Winner: Flames GM Brad Treliving right now
CALGARY, CANADA - FEBRUARY 27: General manager Brad Treliving of the Calgary Flames addresses the media before the trade deadline prior to the teamĆ¢s NHL game against the Ottawa Senators at the Scotiabank Saddledome on February 27, 2016 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
At the rate weāve handed
out Wās to Treliving we might have to get a championship belt made for him.
He had the unenviable position of watching MVP forward
Johnny Gaudreau decide he wanted to go back East to be nearer to family and sign
long-term with Columbus. That move set in motion Matthew Tkachuk wanting to leave
town, which he turned into a blockbuster deal sending Tkachuk to the Florida
Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau and Mackenzie Weegar. Swapping out Sean
Monahan, who has been a disappointing player the past few seasons, for Kadri
can only be seen as an upgrade at that position.
It would've been very easy for Treliving to strip it all
down after Gaudreau left and Tkachuk wanted out, but itās taken Calgary so long
to get back to a position where theyāre contenders in the Western Conference
that giving up on that hope now wouldāve been defeating for everyone involved.
Where thereās a window of opportunity, closing it yourself means not being a GM
for much longer. Taking a shot at winning it all earns a lot of credit.
Loser: Brad Treliving in four years
CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 23: Calgary Flames Goalie Jacob Markstrom (25) and Calgary Flames Left Wing Blake Coleman (20) celebrate their teams 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on November 23, 2021, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Itās not all rainbows and puppies for Calgary because there
may be stormy times down the road.
The moves theyāve made this summer are vital to helping them
get a shot at a Stanley Cup within the next two to three years. Further down
the road is when things may get dicey.
In four years, their key players right now will be deeper
into their 30s and under contract for big hits against the cap. Kadri ($7
million) will be 35, Huberdeau ($10.5 million) will be 33, Blake Coleman ($4.9
million) will be 34, Jacob Markstrom ($6 million) will be 36 and in the final
year of his contract. The next contracts for a handful of players (including
Andrew Mangiapane, Tyler Toffoli, Dillon Dube, Juuso VƤlimƤki)āif they retain themācould
(would?) come at a higher cost.
In general, GMs must keep their eyes further ahead in time
to make sure their team can stay stocked with talent long-term. But the lure of
the Cup is strong, and when they feel theyāre close enough to taste it, the
idea of having a host of players on the back-nine of their career becomes a āweāll
deal with it when we get thereā situation. If Treliving is there to handle it,
heāll at least know what the plan is.
The weeks between the end of the
Stanley Cup playoffs and Aug. 1 tend to see a considerable amount of
activity in the trade and free-agent markets. General...
NHL Rumors: Matthew Tkachuk Informs Flames He Won't Sign New Contract; Trade Likely
Jul 20, 2022
SAINT PAUL, MN - APRIL 28: Calgary Flames Right Wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) gets ready for a faceoff during the NHL game between the Calgary Flames and the Minnesota Wild on April 28th, 2022, at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Calgary Flames star Matthew Tkachuk has informed the team he doesn't intend to sign a new contract, according to The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford and Hailey Salvian.
Rutherford and Salvian reported Tkachuk hasn't formally requested a trade but that one is "likely to happen soon" because of his position on a long-term deal.
The report said the St. Louis Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars are among his preferred destinations.
Tkachuk might be a restricted free agent, but Calgary doesn't have much recourse if he doesn't want to sign a multiyear pact.
The Flames announced Monday they filed for salary arbitration with Tkachuk. While that could result in a one-year deal, the final outcome would basically be the same. He either leaves via trade now, or he leaves later as an unrestricted free agent.
One of those scenarios is better for Calgary than the other.
Especially on the heels of Johnny Gaudreau's signing with the Columbus Blue Jackets, losing Tkachuk would be a huge blow. But the circumstances of Gaudreau's departure also provide one reason to take the best trade offer for the 24-year-old.
Matthew Tkachuk is avoiding a Johnny Gaudreau situation by notifying the #Flames he won't re-sign. Last things the team needs is to drag this out over next season. Actually doing team a favor by being honest with them.
The Flames aren't in a totally advantageous position because everybody is aware of the conundrum in front of general manager Brad Treliving. But Tkachuk is so good that he should fetch a strong return.
The Arizona native totaled 104 points (42 goals and 62 assists) in 2021-22, and his production is unlikely to slow down. He can be a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
The cost to acquire Tkachuk will be high between the assets required for a trade and his next contract. But the investment should be more than worth it.
Matthew Tkachuk, Flames Headed to Salary Arbitration amid Contract Talks
Jul 18, 2022
CALGARY, AB - MAY 18: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Calgary Flames celebrates after scoring against the Edmonton Oilers during the third period of Game One of the Second Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 18, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The Calgary Flames took a step toward ensuring left-winger Matthew Tkachuk remains on their team for the 2022-23 campaign.
"The Flames have filed for club-elected salary arbitration with Matthew Tkachuk," the team announced. "This provides us the opportunity to continue to work with his representatives towards a contractual resolution while removing the possibility of an offer sheet."
Tkachuk is a restricted free agent heading into the 2022-23 season, so this essentially gives the Flames exclusive negotiating rights as the offseason continues.
Bryan Murphy of Sporting News explained that while players can file for salary arbitration, teams can also take them to arbitration. The latter can only happen one time during a player's career, and said player can never receive less than 85 percent of his salary from the last season in such a scenario.
If the arbitration reaches a hearing, an arbitrator will determine the salary level. The Flames could then decline the decision, which would make Tkachuk an unrestricted free agent.
However, it should be noted that the two sides can continue to negotiate prior to a hearing, which seems to be the plan given Calgary's announcement.
Tkachuk has been with the Flames his entire time in the NHL and is coming off the best season of his career that saw him post 104 points on 62 assists and 42 goals with a plus-minus total of plus-57.
That the Flames already lost Johnny Gaudreau to the Columbus Blue Jackets this offseason makes the need to keep an offensive presence like Tkachuk all the more pressing.
He is just 24 years old, coming off the best season of his career and primed to take on an even bigger role as Calgary looks to take the next step from its second-round playoff appearance in 2022.
The team will likely be motivated to keep him during the upcoming negotiations.
Rangers' Igor Shesterkin Wins 2021-22 Vezina Trophy
Jun 21, 2022
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 03: Goaltender Igor Shesterkin #31 of the New York Rangers waves to the fans following a 3-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on June 3, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)
New York Rangers star Igor Shesterkin has won the 2021-22 Vezina Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender, beating out Juuse Saros (Nashville Predators) and Jacob Markstrom (Calgary Flames) for the honor.
The 26-year-old becomes the third goaltender in Rangers history to win the award, joining Henrik Lundqvist and John Vanbiesbrouck. Lundqvist was last to win the award for the franchise in 2012.
The news comes as little surprise as the third-year netminder dominated play and led the Rangers to a second place finish in the Metropolitan Division.
Shesterkin won 36 of his 52 starts, going 36-13-4 with six shutouts and a 2.07 goals-against average and .935 save percentage. He led the NHL in even strength save percentage (.934) and goals saved above average (26.38), per Natural Stat Trick.
In addition, the Russian recorded a .866 high-danger save percentage at even strength, which ranked second behind New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin.
The Rangers selected Shesterkin in the fourth round of the 2014 NHL draft. He spent the 2019-20 season as a backup and emerged as the team's starter during the 2020-21 season, posting a 16-14-3 record in 35 games (31 starts).
With a Vezina Trophy to his name, Shesterkin will be due for a significant extension after the 2024-25 season. He's currently on a four-year, $22.6 million deal that he signed before the 2021-22 season, making $5.6 million per year.
These are trying times in Boston. Not only have the Bruins not won a Stanley Cup in 11 years, but they've also gradually slid backward from near-misses in 2013...
Flames' Darryl Sutter Wins 2021-22 Jack Adams Award Over Gallant, Brunette
Jun 3, 2022
CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 04: Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter listens to a question during a media interview after an NHL game where the Calgary Flames lost to the Dallas Stars 4-3 in overtime on November 4, 2021, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Calgary Flames head coach Darryl Sutter has won the 2021-22 Jack Adams Award as the coach "adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success," it was announced Thursday.
He beat out New York Rangers head coach Gerard Gallant and Florida Panthers head coach Andrew Brunette for the honor.
Sutter accepted the award from his brother, Brian Sutter, who won the honor in 1991 as head coach of the St. Louis Blues.
The Jack Adams Award is given to the NHL coach adjudged to have contributed the most to his team's success in the regular season.
Darryl Sutter got the chance to accept the award from his brother Brian, a former Jack Adams Award winner himself. #NHLAwardspic.twitter.com/UWcZBLLFrs
Sutter was also up for the award during his first stint coaching the Flames in 2003-04. This is his first time winning the award.
The 2021-22 season was Sutter's first full season back behind an NHL bench since the 2016-17 campaign when he was head coach of the Los Angeles Kings. The 63-year-old replaced Geoff Ward as head coach of the Flames during the 2020-21 season.
Sutter guided the Flames to a 50-21-11 record this season, good for first place in the Pacific Division. It was a significant improvement from the 2020-21 campaign, in which Calgary missed the postseason after finishing 26-27-3.
The Flames also improved from 2.77 goals per game during the 2020-21 season to 3.55 goals per game during the 2021-22 campaign. They also allowed just 2.51 goals-against per game, a drop from the 2.86 per game they allowed the season prior.
Sutter is just the second Flames head coach to win the Jack Adams Award, joining Bob Hartley, who won in 2014-15.
