CAPTAIN AMERICA ON ICE
What The Puck?!
Written by Chase Howard
1st Branch
Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman has been tapped to lead the USA 2022 Olympic Hockey team. Bowman has been the GM of the Blackhawks since 2009, winning three cups in that time (2010,13,15). Minnesota wild GM Bill Guerin has been named as assistant GM after playing for the program in 1998, 2002, and 2006. The NHL is expected to send its players back to the Olympics after skipping the 2018 PyeongChang Games due to issues surrounding player contracts and insurance coverage (partially stemming from an ACL injury John Tavares suffered in the 2014 Sochi Games).
However, this isn't a done deal as participation is still pending an agreement between the league, the NHLPA, the International Olympic Committee, and the International Ice Hockey Federation. Bowman seems like the right man for the job, and an early projection of the possible line-up may look something like this:
Stan Bowman honors Patrick Kane for his franchise-record 26-game point streak | Photo from Blackhawks
1st A. Debrincat A.Matthews P.Kane
2nd J. Gaudreaum J. Eichel B. Wheeler
3rd M.Tkachuk V. Trocheck B. Boeser
4th K. Connor J. Pavelski TJ. Oshie
Extra options - J. Hughes, D. Brown, B. Tkachuk, M. Pacioretty
1d S.Jones Q.Hughes
2d Z.Werenski C.McAvoy
3d J. Carlson A. Fox
Extra options - T. Krug, J. Petry, R. Suter
Goalies - C. Hellebuyck, J. Gibson, J. Quick
2nd Branch
A big congratulations to San Jose Sharks Legend Patrick Marleau, who took sole possession of second place in all-time games played in the National Hockey League, passing Mark Messier with 1,757 after a game against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. Marleau is now up to 1761 games in which he has amassed 1195 points (565 goals). This leaves good ole Patty only six games from passing Mr. Hockey himself, Gordie Howe, for 1st all-time in games played. Despite this and a litany of Sharks records, Marleau has never won the Stanley Cup and he's not only one, he's at the top of the list of seasoned vets who deserve a cup. Let's take a look.
Patrick Marleau (Sharks) - Look above this guy has done everything but win a cup, and boy, do we want to see him hoist it
Joe Thornton (Leafs) - one of the greatest playmakers if not players of the last twenty years. Has won a Hart and is one of only 13 players with 1000 career assists
Jason Spezza (Leafs) - is in his 18th season, sits second in Ottawa Senators franchise points, and still holds their record for assist in a season
Bobby Ryan (Red Wings)- The 2005 second overall pick has experienced more than his fair share of ups and downs yet is still a solid contributor. (EDIT) The Red Wings announced Ryan would likely miss the remainder of the season with an upper-body injury. The 34-year-old had 14 points in 33 games and is an unrestricted free agent at season's end. Hopefully, then we will see him sign with a contender and get off this list.
Marc Staal (Red Wings) - has 107 career playoff games under his belt and has to spend the holidays with two brothers who have raised the cup before.
Unfortunately, like Marleau, the bottom two names on his list need a trade if they are to have a chance at getting off his list anytime soon.
3rd Branch
Speaking of trades, let's take a look at some trades we want to see before the April 12 deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs go all in and trade Filip Hallender, 2021 2nd round, 4th round picks to Buffalo Sabres for winger Taylor Hall, getting a guy only a few seasons removed from a Hart Trophy to pair with Tavares and Nylander, giving them maybe the nastiest top six in hockey. If Anderson remains AWOL, a goalie may become their top priority.
The New York Islanders need scoring, especially with captain Anders Lee down for the year, by acquiring New Jersey Devils winger Kyle Palmeri who could likely be had for a prospect such as Keifer Bellows or Dawson Mercer and a 1st round pick. (EDIT) After the initial draft of this blog, The Islanders acquired Palmieri, and veteran center Travis Zajac, from New Jersey for depth forwards A.J. Greer and Mason Jobst, the Islanders' first-round pick in the 2021 NHL draft and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2022. The Devils retained half of the salaries for both players in order to make the trade work under the $81.5 million salary cap.
This one is tough as the Nashville Predators, who were supposed to be taking more phone calls than Rogers customer support, but have won nine of their last ten and currently hold the final playoff spot in their division. It is hard to determine whether they are going to be a seller or buyer, and I don't envy Predators GM David Polie. A middle-of-the-road option is trading Ryan Ellis (no, not Mattias Ekholm) as Ellis is also 30 and has six years left on his deal. A good partner for that could be the Winnipeg Jets, who could offer something like Cole Perfetti, a 2nd round pick, and a later-round pick or depth player.
Pretty much any deal that involves Patrick Marleau to a serious contender…
Quick Hits
The Vancouver Canucks are not having a good week as they now have 21 players (and four staff members) with positive Covid tests. The Canucks have not played since March 24 but are scheduled to return Saturday, April 10. The Canucks confirmed the source infection is a variant, but further testing is needed to identify the type. Currently, six Canucks games were postponed and have yet to be rescheduled; however, the NHL season was extended from May 8 to the 11th. Hopefully, the worst of Covid is behind the Vancouver Canucks.
Conner McDavid continues to play like a man possessed, furthering his advantage in the Art Ross and Hart races. He currently skates for 22:19 a night, second among NHL forwards, and he's collected a point on 52% of all Oiler goals; currently, on pace for 95 points, this guy could legit break the 100 point barrier despite the shortened season. Fellow Hart candidate Patrick Kane was asked how he felt about being a candidate and replied it's awesome, but "I don't think anyone's going to really touch McDavid this year, he's just head and shoulders the best player in the league, and their team is having a great year." At what point do we start calling him McDubs or McJesus?
Washington Capitals legend Alexander Ovechkin continues his ascent. Passing Brett Hall for second in all-time power-play goals by scoring his 266th in a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins on Thursday, leaving him eight behind all-time leader Dave Andreychuk. Watch the video HERE. He kept it up on Friday, scoring his 727th care
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