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Edmonton Journal
a day ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Flames ‘continuing to plug away' on contract negotiations with Dan Vladar, says Conroy
Article content Second-string goalie Dan Vladar was emphatic in his end-of-season interview about his desire to stick around the Saddledome, while the Flames seemed similarly keen on continuing with their current twine-minding tandem. But two months later, and less than two weeks before Vladar would become an unrestricted free agent, there's been no news of a contract extension for the 27-year-old from the Czech Republic, raising the possibility that rising star Dustin Wolf might have a different sidekick when the puck drops on the 2025-26 campaign. Article content 'We're talking to his representation and seeing where his mindset is at,' Flames general manager Craig Conroy told Postmedia on Thursday when asked for an update on negotiations with Vladar. 'We're open, just like he was open to a contract. But both sides have to come to terms with that. We're just continuing to plug away at that one.' Vladar is at the tail-end of a two-year contract that carries an annual cap hit of US$2.2 million. Coming off the heaviest workload of his NHL career, and after finishing the season on a 6-1-1 run, it's safe to assume that he's looking for at least a slight raise. The Flames have plenty of salary-cap wiggle room, but teams are often hesitant to be allocating too much loot to their backup puck-stopper. Vladar and Wolf split starts last fall, but the youngster emerged through the winter as the obvious workhorse in Calgary. Wolf, en route to his runner-up finish in the Calder Trophy race, was tapped for 76 per cent of the crease time in the second half of the season. Article content In 30 appearances, Vladar posted a 12-11-6 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and .898 save percentage. It did not go unnoticed by teammates and staff that he was handed a lot of tough assignments, including the second half of any back-to-back sets. 'We talk about Wolfie a lot and the season he did have, but I think a big reason why he had such a good year was the way Dan was, too,' said Flames head coach Ryan Huska on locker clean-out day. 'We had a great tandem. You look at our team and that was probably the strength of our team this year — those two guys in net gave us a chance to win every night, and it was rare when one of them had an off-night. 'When you're planning ahead, you know you have one area covered. For me as a coach, I know we're going to be good in net.' The big question is, have those plans changed since mid-April, when their backup stressed he would 'love to be back' for a fifth season with the Flames? Article content Is Vladar, who really seemed to find his groove after the 4 Nations Face-Off and continued to roll with a sparkling .950 save percentage in his four appearances at the world championship tournament, now wondering if another organization might view him as a potential starter or a platoon possibility? Is he hoping for more playing time so he can showcase himself for a chance to represent his country at the 2026 Winter Olympics? Is it simply a matter of finding some middle ground on term and dollar figure? If Vladar does opt to test the market when free agency opens on July 1, he will be one of the most appealing options available, a guy who can offer a blend of experience and upside. If the Flames need to go another route, the pickings are somewhat slim. Beyond Vladar, the list of soon-to-be UFAs in the crease is headlined by Jake Allen, Alexandar Georgiev, Ilya Samsonov and Vitek Vanecek, who just lifted the Stanley Cup as the No. 2 for the Florida Panthers. Article content The Flames have also been mentioned as potential suitor for Ivan Prosvetov, who is looking to return from the KHL. Also factoring in this conversation is whether there is internal belief that Devin Cooley can be part of the big-league plan. Cooley's contract upgrades to a one-way for this coming season, but there may be some second-guessing after his rollercoaster campaign with the Wranglers — a superb start that netted an invite to the AHL All-Star Classic and then a miserable finishing stretch. Cooley, who turned 28 last month, will certainly be among those keeping close tabs on Vladar's situation. While there's still time to get a deal done, the Flames might need a backup backup plan. Latest National Stories
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
How the Panthers built — then maintained — a Stanley Cup champion roster
Every season's a remix, even for Stanley Cup champions who want to go back, jack, do it again. The wheel turns 'round and 'round as players chase more money in free agency, more time doing something else with retirement, get injured or suspended. The Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions by keeping their roster core, then finding the proper side dishes to mesh with that main course entree. And, here's how Chef Bill Zito, Panthers general manager, cooked up another Stanley Cup-winning roster. 3: Seth Jones, D. The Panthers traded for the 6-4, multitalented defenseman and got a fourth-round draft pick from Chicago for backup goalie Spencer Knight and a 2026 conditional first round pick on March 1. This filled a spot vacated by Aaron Ekblad's suspension and, when Ekblad returned, put Jones with 6-6 Niko Mikkola to give the Panthers a huge second defense pair. 5: Aaron Ekblad, D. Drafted No. 1 overall in the 2014 NHL Draft — the year after the Panthers took Aleksander Barkov and left Jones on the board — and the NHL's Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) the ensuing season, Ekblad's the Panthers career leader in defenseman scoring. At 6-4 with great mobility and good puck skills, he's the epitome of what NHL teams want in a No. 1 defenseman. He and Gustav Forsling match against opponents' top lines. He served a 20-game suspension after testing positive for performance-enhancing substances. 7: Dmitri Kulikov, D. Kulikov returned to the Panthers as a free agent after last year's Cup run. He came right back to where he started when the Panthers signed him as a free agent on July 1, 2023. After being the Panthers 2009 first-round draft pick, Kulikov spent his first seven seasons here before being traded to Buffalo in 2016. 8: Nico Sturm, C: The Panthers got a Sturm and 2027 seventh-round pick for a 2026 fourth-round pick on Mar. 6. Sturm played in 62 regular-season games and eight playoff games. 9: Sam Bennett, C. The Panthers traded for Bennett and a sixth-round 2022 draft pick from Calgary on April 12, 2021, for prospect Emil Heineman and a 2022 draft pick. His 13 road playoff goals this season is an NHL record. Bennett, this year's Conn Smythe winner as playoff MVP, infuriates opponents with his borderline legal physicality and the soft hands that can make a goalie look oafish on a breakaway. 10: A.J. Greer, LW/RW. Greer, a part of a energetic, muscular fourth line, signed as a free agent on July 1, 2024. READ MORE: Why the Panthers made sure first-time Cup winners got to celebrate first 12: Jonah Gadjovich, LW/RW. After signing with the Panthers as a free agent on Oct. 16, 2023, Gadjovich dressed for 39 games last season and 42 games this season. With Greer, the Panthers have two 6-3 wings on the fourth line. 13: Sam Reinhart, RW. The Panthers got Reinhart from Buffalo on July 24, 2021, for goalie prospect Devon Levi and a first-round 2022 draft pick. With the Panthers, Reinhart put up two 30-goal seasons, a 57-goal, 94-point season last season and 39 goals and 81 points this season. 15: Anton Lundell, C. The Panthers took Lundell in the first round, 12th overall, of the 2020 NHL Draft. Lundell's a two-way center on the third line with Eetu Luostarinen and Brad Marchand that gave the Panthers unmatched depth throughout the playoffs and also provided the Panthers a line responsible enough they could put against opposing No. 1 lines. 16: Aleksander Barkov, C. The Panthers took Barkov instead of Seth Jones No. 2 overall in the 2013 NHL Draft. After three Selke Trophies (best defensive forward), one Lady Byng Award (combining great and gentlemanly play), one King Clancy Award (leadership, community contributions), the franchise's leading scorer, team captain and one of the game's best all-around players, it's safe to say 'Smart choice.' 17: Evan Rodrigues, RW. Signed as a free agent on July 2, 2023. Rodrigues can play on the first, second or third line and works on the second power-play unit. He put up 15 goals and 17 assists and was a minus-four in 82 games this regular season, but had two goals and 13 assists and was a plus-three in 21 playoff games, usually on a line with Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk. 19: Matthew Tkachuk, LW. After having the NHL's best record in 2021-22, but losing in the second round, the Panthers wanted to add thump and attitude for the playoffs without sacrificing offense. So, on July 22, 2022, they sent the franchise's all-time leading scorer at the time, Jonathan Huberdeau; MacKenzie Weegar; Cole Schwindt; and a conditional 2025 first-round draft pick to Calgary for Tkachuk. Tkachuk totals since the trade: 254 regular-season points in 211 games, 25 goals and 68 points in 67 playoff games. Team totals: three Eastern Conference titles, two Stanley Cups. READ MORE: A few fun facts about the Stanley Cup now that the Panthers have won it (again) 23: Carter Verhaeghe, LW. The Panthers signed Verhaeghe as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020, after he spent his first NHL season as a bottom-six player for Tampa Bay's 2020 Stanley Cup winner. He has scored 122 total goals during the past four regular seasons and holds the Panthers' franchise record 33 playoff goals, 13 of which have been game winners. 25: Mackie Samoskevich, RW. The Panthers' 2021 first-round NHL Draft pick dressed for 72 regular season games this season, picking up 15 goals and 16 assists. 26: Uvis Balinskis, D. Signed as a free agent on April 18, 2023, and he dressed for 76 regular-season games for the Panthers this season. 27: Eetu Luostarinen, LW. Luostarinen came to the Panthers with Erik Haula, Lucas Wallmark and Chase Priskie on Feb. 24, 2020, as the Panthers sent Vincent Trocheck to Carolina. He helps make the Panthers third line one of the biggest matchup problems in the NHL, especially in the playoffs, where Luostarinen had five goals and 14 assists in 23 games this year. 42: Gustav Forsling, D. The Panthers claimed Forsling off waivers on Jan. 9, 2021, from Carolina. Carolina couldn't find room for him. Every team in the NHL wishes they did. Forsling and Aaron Ekblad get matched up against most teams' No. 1 lines as the Panthers top defense pair. How well Forsling handles that matchup can be seen in two stats: only 16 penalty minutes in 80 regular-season games and a team-high plus-33 plus/minus rating this season. 63: Brad Marchand, LW/C. The Panthers sent Boston, Marchand's NHL home since 2009, a conditional 2027 second-round pick for Marchand on Mar. 7 in a trade that shocked and dismayed the rest of the league. 'Dismayed' because Marchand added another skilled, gritty, annoying forward with Cup-winning experience to a Panthers team already fat with that. Marchand had 10 goals and 10 assists in 22 playoff games on the Panthers' important third line. 70: Jesper Boqvist, C. The Panthers signed Boqvist as a free agent on July 1. He appeared in 78 regular-season games, picking up 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 and had two goals and three assists in 13 playoff games. 72: Sergei Bobrovsky, G. The Panthers signed Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy (best goalie) winner, as a free agent on July 1, 2019. During the playoffs, even in blowout wins, your goalie usually will need to make a big save or three. 'Bob' does that and two Stanley Cups leaves no doubt as to his future Hockey Hall of Fame induction. 77: Niko Mikkola, D. The Panthers signed the defensive defenseman as a free agent on July 1, 2023. Most teams would consider the 6-6 Mikkola with a pterodactyl wingspan and Seth Jones their No. 1 defense pair. 88: Nate Schmidt, D. Schmidt signed with the Panthers on July 3, his fifth team in a 12-season career. Playing on the Panthers' third pair, Schmidt had 19 points and was a plus four in 80 regular-season games. In the playoffs, his offensive thrusts produced got 12 points in 23 playoff games, usually at pivotal times. 92: Tomas Nosek, C: Nosek signed as a free agent on July 1, 2024. He played 59 regular-season games and 15 playoff games, usually on the fourth line. Paul Maurice wanted that line on the ice for the final seconds because he felt as if they turned around the second round series against Toronto with the Panthers down 2-0 in games and trailing in Game 3. Head coach Paul Maurice. Having the NHL's best record, best offense and winning a playoff round for the first time in 26 years didn't satisfy Panthers management after a second-round sweep loss to Tampa Bay in 2022. They dumped Andrew Brunette, hired Maurice, who wasn't looking for work after leaving Winnipeg. He took the job, changed the Panthers into an outfit with more a physical and defensive conscience and has been rewarded with three Eastern Conference championships and two Stanley Cups. General manager Bill Zito. Panthers ownership jettisoned 10-year general manager Dale Tallon on Aug. 10, 2020 and hired Zito 23 days later. Only four players remain on the Panthers roster from that day: Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, Sergei Bobrovesky and left wing Eetu Luostarinen. Trading for Tkachuk, signing Verhaeghe, claiming Forsling off waivers and hiring Maurice are among Zito's ace moves that turned the Panthers from a playoff team to a Stanley Cup winner. Trading for Marchand and Jones kept them winners this year. Zito's also responsible for the hockey operations and scouting department advised on player acquisitions and helped with player development.
Ottawa Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Jack Todd: Adapting to playoff brutality will be key for rising Canadiens star Lane Hutson
Article content As the NHL announced last week that the Canadiens' Lane Hutson was the overwhelming winner of the Calder Trophy, with 165 first-place votes out of 191, the Florida Panthers were committing mayhem en route to what will probably be a second straight Stanley Cup. Article content The carnage, especially in Game 3 of the final against the Edmonton Oilers, was impressive. Even more impressive was the ability of NHL referees to resist the temptation to blow the whistle come playoff time. Both sides got away with a lot and the Oilers were guilty of taking some very stupid penalties, but the officiating definitely favoured Florida's style of play. Article content Article content Begging the question: Can a player like the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Hutson thrive at playoff time? Article content Article content It would be wrong to assume that Hutson can't adapt his quicksilver talents to the post-season. Most of the hockey world has been wrong about this young man from long before he was drafted. He is one tough cookie and I will never forget the beatdown he put on a 6-foot-5, 235-pound Swede at the world juniors. Article content The shift in play from regular season to playoffs is unmatched in any of the other North American leagues. It's open season on skilled players, especially those like Hutson who don't have the sheer bulk to make offenders pay. Article content Before the playoffs started, I saw a clip of Paul Maurice behind the Florida bench that gives the game away. There was Maurice during last season's playoffs, as urbane and articulate as any coach in reducing the game to its brutal essence, dropping F-bombs left and right while urging his players to do one thing: 'Hit!' Article content Article content No subtle dissections of strategy or matchups. Just pound 'em into the ice, an effective tactic this time of year. Article content Hutson does have ways of protecting himself that are not named Arber Xhekaj. The first time an opposing lummox tried to hit Hutson was during the pre-season, when lumbering Ryan Reaves tried to take his head off and caught a whole lot of glass. Hutson went on to play big minutes through 82 regular-season games and five playoff games, which might be the most remarkable aspect of his dazzling rookie campaign. Article content He does get sent flying now and then, but he inevitably bounces back. He'll have to — because as the playoffs advance, the play seems to get more recklessly violent with every round. Article content Article content Perhaps the most encouraging words for Hutson came from the Canadiens' previous Calder winner, Ken Dryden, who took the trophy in 1972: 'Congratulations, Lane. You were too small to make your mark, but then game after game you showed you weren't. Your team wasn't yet ready to compete, then, month after month, you showed you were. Now, you and your team are on your way.'
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Jack Todd: Adapting to playoff brutality will be key for rising Canadiens star Lane Hutson
As the NHL announced last week that the Canadiens' Lane Hutson was the overwhelming winner of the Calder Trophy, with 165 first-place votes out of 191, the Florida Panthers were committing mayhem en route to what will probably be a second straight Stanley Cup. The carnage, especially in Game 3 of the final against the Edmonton Oilers , was impressive. Even more impressive was the ability of NHL referees to resist the temptation to blow the whistle come playoff time. Both sides got away with a lot and the Oilers were guilty of taking some very stupid penalties, but the officiating definitely favoured Florida's style of play. Begging the question: Can a player like the 5-foot-9, 162-pound Hutson thrive at playoff time? Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. It would be wrong to assume that Hutson can't adapt his quicksilver talents to the post-season. Most of the hockey world has been wrong about this young man from long before he was drafted. He is one tough cookie and I will never forget the beatdown he put on a 6-foot-5, 235-pound Swede at the world juniors. The shift in play from regular season to playoffs is unmatched in any of the other North American leagues. It's open season on skilled players, especially those like Hutson who don't have the sheer bulk to make offenders pay. Before the playoffs started, I saw a clip of Paul Maurice behind the Florida bench that gives the game away. There was Maurice during last season's playoffs, as urbane and articulate as any coach in reducing the game to its brutal essence, dropping F-bombs left and right while urging his players to do one thing: 'Hit!' No subtle dissections of strategy or matchups. Just pound 'em into the ice, an effective tactic this time of year. Hutson does have ways of protecting himself that are not named Arber Xhekaj. The first time an opposing lummox tried to hit Hutson was during the pre-season, when lumbering Ryan Reaves tried to take his head off and caught a whole lot of glass. Hutson went on to play big minutes through 82 regular-season games and five playoff games, which might be the most remarkable aspect of his dazzling rookie campaign. He does get sent flying now and then, but he inevitably bounces back. He'll have to — because as the playoffs advance, the play seems to get more recklessly violent with every round. Perhaps the most encouraging words for Hutson came from the Canadiens' previous Calder winner, Ken Dryden, who took the trophy in 1972: 'Congratulations, Lane. You were too small to make your mark, but then game after game you showed you weren't. Your team wasn't yet ready to compete, then, month after month, you showed you were. Now, you and your team are on your way.' Nicest guy in the league: Given the kitschy vibe of NHL awards shows, breaking it up and having families surprise the winners with their trophies made sense — and at least we didn't have to endure Nickelback. The most touching awards ceremony I saw was when Anze Kopitar's wife and daughters awarded the Kings' veteran centreman the Lady Byng Trophy, complete with drawings from the girls proclaiming him the 'nicest guy in the NHL.' That's accurate — although Nick Suzuki could give Kopitar some competition. Beasts of the East: Two games into the season, and the Alouettes are the absolute rulers of the East Division. They're 2-0, while Hamilton, Ottawa and Toronto are all 0-2. The standings are meaningless at this point in the season, but the Alouettes' defence as designed by the masterful Noel Thorpe is not meaningless. They play with intent and the intent is to shut you down. As my trusty sidekick Zeke Herbowsky pointed out, the Alouettes faced a couple of backup quarterbacks — but they're both veteran QBs with solid resumés and they were both all but eaten alive by a defence that was breathing fire. Gabriel rising: Thanks to my mentor Pat Hickey for calling my attention to Montrealer Gabriel Diallo, who this weekend defeated his friend and doubles partner, Belgian Zizou Bergs, to win the Libema Open for his first ATP title. Diallo is a towering, 6-foot-8 powerhouse whose father is from Guinea and whose mother is a former professional handball player from Ukraine. He's climbed the rungs to 44th on the ATP Tour as we head to Wimbledon. This Hart lacks heart: It's well within the definition of the award, but I could never bring myself to vote for a Hart Trophy candidate who doesn't carry that play into the post-season, whether it's Connor Hellebuyck or Auston Matthews. Heroes: Lane Hutson, Ken Dryden, Anze Kopitar, George Russell, Gabriel Diallo, Geoffrey Cantin-Arku, Shawn Oakman, Wesley Sutton, Dylan Wynn, Davis Alexander, Tyler Snead, Austin Mack, Latifah Abdu, Tanya Boychuk, Tatjana Maria, Armand Duplantis &&&& last but not least, the amazing Summer McIntosh . Zeros: The NHL's playoff officiating, schedules that can have teams playing hockey into the summer, the Boston Red Sox, Max Verstappen, Christian Horner, Matthew Tkachuk, Connor Hellebuyck, Auston Matthews, Daryl Katz, Douglas Cifu, Vincent Viola, Wayne Gretzky, Bud Selig Jr., Claude Brochu, David Samson &&&& last but not least, Jeffrey Loria. Now and forever. @
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Red Wings' Moritz Seider among first named to Germany's 2026 Olympic hockey roster
The last time Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider was named to Germany's Olympic ice hockey roster, he didn't end up going. This time, the outlook is decidedly better. Seider was among the first six players named by Germany to the team that will compete at the 2026 Winter Games, scheduled to be held Feb. 6-22 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. Advertisement The others named Monday, June 16, were forwards Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers), Lukas Reichel (Chicago Blackhawks), Nico Sturm (Florida Panthers) and Tim Stützle (Ottawa Senators) and goaltender Philipp Grubauer (Seattle Kraken). Detroit Red Wings defenseman Moritz Seider (53) shoots the puck against Dallas Stars during the third period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Monday, April 14, 2025. MORE: Red Wings' Lucas Raymond among first named to Sweden's 2026 Olympic roster Seider, 24, was among the first named to Germany's preliminary roster for the 2022 Beijing Games, announced in October of 2021. But the NHL ended up pulling its players because of lingering disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic. Seider, drafted at No. 6 in 2019 and the 2022 recipient of the Calder Trophy as the NHL rookie of the year, has 29 goals and 151 assists in 328 games over four seasons with the Wings. He has represented Germany at five World Championships, winning a silver medal in 2023. He was captain of the 2025 team, but the Germans did not make it out of the round-robin part of the tournament, eliminated in the last game of the preliminary round by Denmark. Stay connected and stay informed. Become a Detroit Free Press subscriber. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Red Wings' Moritz Seider named to Germany's Olympic roster
