Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Wins 2021-22 Ted Lindsay Award
Jun 21, 2022
TORONTO, ON - MAY 10: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period in Game Five of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 10, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has won the 2021-22 Ted Lindsay Award as the NHL's most outstanding player, beating out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi for the honor.
Matthews is the first Maple Leaf and only the second United States-born player to win the award after Patrick Kane.
The 24-year-old also won the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL's leading goal scorer for the second straight season and won the Hart Trophy as the player viewed to be the most valuable to his team.
Matthews tallied a career-high 60 goals and 46 assists for 106 points in 73 games. He also recorded 19.2 percent of Toronto's goals, which helped the team finish second in the Atlantic Division with a 54-21-7 record and reach the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
The San Ramon, California native finished first in the NHL averaging 0.82 goals per game. It was the highest per-game rate for any player since Mario Lemieux averaged 0.99 goals per game in 1995-96. In addition, he finished first in the league with 44 even-strength goals.
The Maple Leafs selected Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL draft, and he has been a staple in their lineup ever since. He won the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2016-17 after finishing with 40 goals and 29 assists for 69 points in 82 games and has also earned one All-Star selection.
In 407 career games, Matthews has had 259 goals and 198 assists for 457 points. He is under contract with Toronto through the 2023-24 season at $11.6 million per year.
Red Wings' Moritz Seider Wins 2021-22 Calder Trophy
Jun 21, 2022
TORONTO, ON - APRIL 26: Moritz Seider #53 of the Detroit Red Wings skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on April 26, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 3-0. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider has won the 2022 Calder Trophy as the NHL's best rookie, the league announced Tuesday. He beat out Anaheim Ducks center Trevor Zegras and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Michael Bunting for the honor.
Seider becomes the first Red Wings player to win the Calder Trophy since Roger Crozier in 1965. He is also the first defenseman to win the award since Colorado Avalanche star Cale Makar in 2020.
The 21-year-old took on a significant role for the Red Wings during the 2021-22 season, anchoring the defense with an average of 23:02 ice time per game. He also tallied seven goals and 43 assists for 50 points in 82 games.
The Red Wings selected Seider with the sixth overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Germany, where he played for the Mannheim Eagles of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga. He spent the 2019-20 season with Detroit's AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, tallying two goals and 20 assists in 49 games.
With the start of the 2020-21 NHL season delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Seider played for Rogle BK of the Swedish Hockey League, notching seven goals and 21 assists in 41 games, before joining the Red Wings for the 2021-22 campaign.
The right-handed defenseman figures to be a significant piece of Detroit's future, and winning the Calder Trophy is only the beginning.
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.
The NHL Draft lottery balls bounced in the New
Jersey Devils' favor last month, landing the rights to select the
NHL Stanley Cup Final 2022: Odds, Hot Takes, Top Storylines for Game 3
Jun 20, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 18: Steven Stamkos #91 of the Tampa Bay Lightning skates into the corner against Artturi Lehkonen #62 and Logan O'Connor #25 of the Colorado Avalanche during the third period of Game Two of the 2022 Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on June 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Tampa Bay Lightning find themselves in the exact same position entering Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final as they were in during the Eastern Conference Final.
The problem for the two-time reigning NHL champion is the Colorado Avalanche are a much tougher team to beat than the New York Rangers.
Tampa Bay needs to win Game 3 inside Amalie Arena on Monday to make the championship series competitive.
Colorado steamrolled through the Lightning defense for 11 goals in the first two games in Denver. The Avalanche earned a 4-3 overtime win in Game 1 and produced a 7-0 blowout in Game 2.
Tampa Bay has yet to find an answer for Colorado's offensive depth. Eight Avalanche players recorded multiple points in the first two games. No Tampa Bay player reached that mark.
The Lightning used Game 3 to reset the last series, but only after the Rangers got out to a two-goal lead. Another poor start at home would doom the Lightning's fate in the Stanley Cup Final.
Money Line: Tampa Bay (-110; bet $110 to win $100); Colorado (-110)
Over/Under: 6
Puck Line: Tampa Bay (-1.5, +225), Colorado (+1.5, -265)
Tampa Bay Sits In Must-Win Situation
The Tampa Bay Lightning faced some difficult circumstances during their two-year title reign, but this may be the most challenging.
Colorado seems poised to sweep the Stanley Cup Final in what would be its third 4-0 series win of the postseason. The Avalanche responded to a close Game 1 with a seven-goal outburst in Game 2.
Tampa Bay is not out of the series yet, but it can be on the brink of elimination if it does not make the proper adjustments in Game 3.
Jon Cooper's team faced the same situation in the Eastern Conference Final, but it did not respond to the New York Rangers' challenge until the midway point of Game 3. Tampa Bay went on to win four straight games once it produced a victory in the series.
The same situation likely will not play out against the Avalanche, who are better suited to win the Stanley Cup this season than the Rangers.
Tampa Bay's solutions need to start in defense since it allowed Colorado to jump on it from the start in Game 2. Colorado scored the opening goal on the power play in the first three minutes and owned a three-goal lead at the first intermission.
Andrei Vasilevskiy needs to erase the 11 concessions from Games 1 and 2 and get back to being the potential MVP of the series. The Tampa Bay goalie gave up eight goals in last year's Stanley Cup Final win over the Montreal Canadiens.
Vasilevskiy is coming off his worst two-game concession streak in his postseason career. The defense in front of him needs to contain the Colorado offense better, but he also needs to be in better position to stop some of those attempts.
Tampa Bay's offense needs to find more ways to create. The Lightning managed 16 shots in Game 2. Colorado was two shots away from doubling that total.
Not only did Colorado take more shots, but it was far more efficient with its attempts on net. That has to change in order for Tampa Bay to get on the board in the series.
Steven Stamkos Needs To Be Best Player On Ice
Steven Stamkos scored four of his five goals in the Eastern Conference Final on home ice.
Tampa Bay's captain scored twice in the series-clinching Game 6, and he bagged a goal in Games 3 and 4.
The Lightning need at least one goal out of Stamkos on Monday night to counter what the Avalanche have thrown at them.
Stamkos managed just four shots in the first two games in Denver. He had four shots alone in the final contest against the Rangers.
Stamkos recorded at least three shots on goal and scored in four of his last five home postseason games. He did not score in the series-clinching Game 4 win over the Florida Panthers in the second round.
All of the recent statistics suggest Stamkos will be in the middle of a handful of Tampa Bay's surges forward.
A successful night out of Stamkos does not guarantee the Lightning will win, but it could serve as a catalyst for the rest of the roster to pick up their games to earn a home win.
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Peter DeBoer Reportedly Expected to Be Named Stars HC After Golden Knights Firing
Jun 20, 2022
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 20: Vegas Golden Knights head coach Pete DeBoer speaks with the media after a victory over the Washington Capitals at T-Mobile Arena on April 20, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Dallas Stars are reportedly on the verge of hiring their next head coach.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reported he is "hearing that Peter DeBoer will be the next head coach." DeBoer is available after the Vegas Golden Knights fired him in May.
Pierre LeBrun of TSN noted it is not quite a done deal at this point:
It’s likely headed that way but sources saying a contract still hasn’t been ironed out as of now. But both sides working on it. https://t.co/ibGYYkksaP
The Dallas position is open because Rick Bowness stepped down in May.
DeBoer is a notable name for the Stars. He has coached for the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks and Golden Knights and has a 513-379-123 record and 123 playoff games on his resume.
He took over in Las Vegas for Gerard Gallant during the 2019-20 campaign and led the team to the Western Conference Final, where it lost to the Stars.
Vegas then reached the second round of the playoffs in 2020-21 but missed the playoffs entirely in 2021-22 despite a solid 43-31-8 record.
As for the Stars, Bowness was the head coach from 2019-20 through 2021-22 and posted an 89-62-25 record. They reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2020 but lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning before taking a step back recently with a first-round exit this past season after missing the playoffs in 2020-21.
Dallas has been among the most disappointing teams in the league since its Stanley Cup Final run, falling short of expectations despite no shortage of talent on the roster with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Roope Hintz and more.
DeBoer is accustomed to coaching in situations with high expectations after his time in Vegas, and he will look to help the Stars take the next step after they failed to replicate their recent success the past two seasons.
Lightning Mocked by NHL Twitter After Blowout Loss to Avalanche in Game 2
Jun 19, 2022
DENVER, COLORADO - JUNE 18: Victor Hedman #77 of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Logan O'Connor #25 of the Colorado Avalanche fight for the puck during the second period in Game Two of the 2022 NHL Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena on June 18, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Saturday night was one to forget for the Tampa Bay Lightning, who were embarrassed by the Colorado Avalanche 7-0 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final at Ball Arena in Denver.
It was an all-around disappointing effort from the Bolts, who were widely expected to bounce back from an underwhelming 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1 on Wednesday. Instead, they'll head back to Amalie Arena in an attempt to climb out of an 0-2 hole in the series.
Bolts netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy received the brunt of the criticism on Saturday night for allowing seven goals on 31 shots. However, the team in front of him played just as poorly, if not worse.
The team finished with just 17 shots on goal through three periods as the offense was near invisible. The defense, meanwhile, had an extremely difficult time containing the speedy, highly-skilled offense of the Avalanche, frequently allowing breakaways and scoring chances.
Valeri Nichushkin (two), Josh Manson, Andre Burakovsky, Darren Helm and Cale Makar (two) all finished with goals for the Avalanche.
Tampa Bay's performance on Saturday earned it some heavy criticism on social media, and rightfully so. Even legendary basketball sportscaster Dick Vitale weighed in on the game, asking if there was a mercy rule in hockey.
This is quite the embarrassing effort from the Lightning. No other way around it. In Game 1 there were barely any odd-man rushes. This time around it looks like the Avs get a 3-on-1 or 3-on-2 every other shift.
I was hoping for a better Stanley Cup Final, but man the Avs just are so damn good. No disrespect to the Lightning, they’re impressive as hell, but damn this might be over soon.
It was a brutal showing from the Lightning, but it's hard to already rule out the back-to-back defending champions, especially with the series set to shift to Tampa Bay.
The Bolts went down 0-2 to the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Final and went on to defeat the Blueshirts in six games. The team's resiliency and veteran leadership will surely be a factor in Game 3, and Saturday night's shellacking should be all the fuel the team needs to reset.
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Shane Wright on Possibly Being Canadiens' No. 1 NHL Draft Pick: 'Not My Decision'
Jun 18, 2022
BUFFALO, NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Shane Wright speaks at the Top Prospects Media Availability at the NHL Scouting Combine at HarborCenter on June 03, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Joshua Bessex/NHLI via Getty Images)
Top prospect Shane Wright knows his fate in the 2022 NHL draft is out of his hands.
Wright told reporters Saturday he wants to be selected first overall by the Montreal Canadiens but that they hold all of the cards:
"I have my own opinion on where I believe I should go, but at the end of the day, it's out of my control now. What my opinion is, what I say, what I think, it doesn't matter now. It's in the hands of Montreal and their management. Obviously, I'd like to be the first overall pick. But at the end of the day, it's not my decision."
The 18-year-old posted 32 goals and 62 assists in 63 OHL games with the Kingston Frontenacs in 2021-22. He tallied another 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 11 playoff appearances.
Not surprisingly, NHL Central Scouting listed Wright as the No. 1 North American skater heading into the draft.
When it comes to the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, Wright has some competition from Slovakian forward Juraj Slafkovsky. Slafkovsky helped his national team collect bronze at the 2022 Winter Olympics and finished as the leading goalscorer (seven).
Tabbing Wright as the top selection isn't an open-and-shut case for The Athletic's Corey Pronman.
Pronman wrote that Wright's "hockey sense is among the best in the draft" and called his shot "elite asset and something that can break games open." However, the Canadian "doesn’t have truly elite speed or skill, and isn’t the most physically imposing player either."
Bleacher Report's Lyle Richardson still projected Wright to land in Montreal, writing the Canadiens "will pounce" on a player who addresses their "ongoing need for skilled depth at center."
Kraken's Philipp Grubauer Says He's Been Called a Nazi by Other Players
Jun 17, 2022
SAINT PAUL, MN - APRIL 22: Philipp Grubauer #31 of the Seattle Kraken defends against the Minnesota Wild during the game at the Xcel Energy Center on April 22, 2022 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Bruce Kluckhohn/NHLI via Getty Images)
Seattle Kraken goalie Philipp Grubauer said Friday he has been called a Nazi by other players during his hockey career.
Grubauer told the story as part of the Kraken's "Hockey is for Everyone" discussion series:
The 30-year-old Grubauer, who is from Germany, said in the full video of the conversation on the Kraken's website that the slurs were used against him during his junior hockey playing days.
Grubauer played in Canada's Ontario Hockey League from 2009 to 2011 for the Belleville Bulls, Windsor Spitfires and Kingston Frontenacs after growing up in Germany and playing junior hockey there as well.
During the discussion, Grubauer said he and other players used to be afraid to speak up because of the reaction it would elicit, including "20 other guys chirping you" from the other team.
The veteran netminder went on to suggest that the culture has changed in hockey since then with players coming together to stand up against hateful language and views.
Grubauer recently finished his first season with the expansion Kraken after signing a six-year contract with them in free agency.
He posted an 18-35-1 record with a 3.16 goals-against average, .889 save percentage and two shutouts.
Grubauer previously played for the Washington Capitals and Colorado Avalanche, earning a Stanley Cup with the Caps as a backup in 2018, and finishing third in the Vezina Trophy voting as the Avs' starter in 2021.
