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NHL Style Rankings: Rangers D-Man Steals the Show From Patrik Laine
Sara Civian
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 hats—I 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!
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 Hörnqvist'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 while—he'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 teams—one 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 while—the 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?
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Patrik Laine, Blue Jackets Agree to 4-Year, $34.8M Contract in NHL Free Agency
Jul 22, 2022
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 16: Patrik Laine #29 of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his game winning goal in overtime for a final score of 2-1 against the Seattle Kraken at Nationwide Arena on October 16, 2021 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Columbus Blue Jackets traded for forward Patrik Laine during the 2020-21 campaign and made sure they kept him for more than just the remainder that season and the next one.
Columbus and Laine have agreed to terms on a four-year, $34.8 million contract extension through the 2025-26 season, the franchise announced Friday. The pact is worth $8.7 million annually.
Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement:
"One of our priorities this summer was signing Patrik Laine to a contract extension. He is a special player, one of the truly elite goal scorers in the National Hockey League, and he has fit in extremely well with our group since his arrival. He is an integral part of the team we are building in Columbus, and we couldn't be happier that he will continue to be a Blue Jacket for the foreseeable future."
The right wing was a restricted free agent after the 2021-22 season ended.
Columbus acquired Laine and Jack Roslovic in a blockbuster trade in January 2021. It sent the Winnipeg Jets forward Pierre-Luc Dubois and a third-round pick in the 2022 draft for the two forwards.
Not only does bringing Laine back make it more likely that the trade is seen as a success for the Blue Jackets, but it also helps reverse a troubling trend recently.
Columbus had a reputation under former head coach John Tortorella that it was unable to re-sign its marquee players. Most notably, Artemi Panarin, Sergei Bobrovsky and Matt Duchene all left after the team's 2019 playoff run in which it swept the top-seeded Tampa Bay Lightning and before losing to the Boston Bruins in a tightly contested second-round series that went six games.
There was also some apparent tension between coach and player with Dubois before Columbus traded the forward.
However, it is a new era for the Blue Jackets after they parted ways with Tortorella following the 2020-21 campaign, which was his sixth with the organization. They made the playoffs four straight years during his tenure but were just 18-26-12 in his last season and last place in the Central Division.
Laine had just 21 points in 45 games in his first season with Columbus and posted a career-worst plus-minus of minus-29.
However, he bounced back some in 2021-22 with 26 goals and 30 assists for 56 points in 56 games.
The No. 2 overall pick of the 2016 draft will look to remain an impact player with this new deal. He wasted no time making an impression with 64 points in 73 games as a rookie. The 2017 All-Star selection posted 70 points in his second season, 50 points in his third and 63 points in his fourth.
Laine is known for his powerful one-timer and is someone who can score on the power play, draw attention to set up others and anchor the offense for stretches.
The Finn is just 24 years old and figures to be a key offensive contributor for Columbus with his new contract.
Blue Jackets Signing Johnny Gaudreau Takes Stacked Metro Division to New Level
Jul 14, 2022
COLUMBUS, OH - APRIL 22: The cannon goes off after Jack Roslovic #96 of the Columbus Blue Jackets scores a goal against the Ottawa Senators during the first period at Nationwide Arena on April 22, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Ben Jackson/NHLI via Getty Images)
That explosion you heard around 7 p.m. ET on Wednesday night was bombshell news being dropped: Johnny Gaudreau was going to the Columbus Blue Jackets. It's fitting for a team that sets off a literal cannon every time a goal is scored in their home barn.
Get ready for a lot of fireworks as the explosive winger has decided to sign with the rebuilding franchise. In a move that no one could have seen coming, the former Calgary Flames forward opted against returning home to the east coast and instead signed a seven-year, $68.25 million contract ($9.75 million AAV) in Columbus.
Gaudreau, whose 115 points were tied for second in the league last season, could be leaving upwards of $15 million on the table to sign with a team that seemingly came out of left field. For the last few months, the narrative had been that Gaudreau wanted to play for a team closer to his native New Jersey.
He seemed destined for the Philadelphia Flyers, New Jersey Devils, or even the New York Islanders, but another Metropolitan Division team came flying in off the top rope to steal the 28-year-old and stun the hockey world.
It's created a ripple effect throughout the division. The addition of Gaudreau makes the Metro a murderer's row of sorts. Every team has a legitimate chance of contending for a Stanley Cup Playoff spot except the Flyers and maybe the Devils, though that could change.
New Jersey has made it known that it intends to take a step forward to try and get over the hump of its extended rebuild. The failed pursuit of Gaudreau means that general manager Tom Fitzgerald had to go to Plan B.
Fitzgerald was able to obtain a free-agent forward late Wednesday night after reportedly striking an agreement with former Lightning winger Ondrej Palat on a five-year deal. The trade market is also a place to explore for the Devils, with Vladimir Tarasenko a name to keep an eye on. Targeting an elite, high-priced free agent like Gaudreau just one year after signing defenseman Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year contract shows the aspiration to contend again and it remains to be seen if New Jersey is done after the Palat signing.
But the Blue Jackets seem to think they can contend again as well.
The run never came to fruition, and Kekalainen was forced to do some tearing down of sorts in order to retool. He fired coach John Tortorella and loaded up on draft picks. The Blue Jackets were not expected to make much noise in a tough division for a few more years, but now there is a chance they can re-sign Laine, which makes the expectations sky-high.
The run never came to fruition and Kekalainen was forced to do some tearing down of sorts in order to retool. He fired coach John Tortorella and loaded up on draft picks. The Blue Jackets were not expected to make much noise in a tough division for a few more years, but now there is a chance they can re-sign Laine, which makes the expectations sky-high.
COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 11: Columbus Blue Jackets General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen addresses members of the media during Media Day at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, OH on September 11, 2019. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Coincidentally, that's about the same height of the hill they'll have to climb in the division. Every single playoff team in the Metro addressed a glaring weakness.
The New York Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final just last month, and while there was some roster turnover following the season, most of the top guys are locked up long-term. They also signed center Vincent Trocheck on Wednesday to replace Ryan Strome on the second line and goalie Jaroslav Halak, giving them a quality veteran backup to reigning Vezina Trophy winner Igor Shesterkin.
The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't make any major acquisitions Wednesday, but they did re-sign center Evgeni Malkin, forward Rickard Rakell and defenseman Kris Letang. The Penguins showed that they are still a top team in the league and that Sidney Crosby is still a top player in an intense first-round showdown with the Rangers a few months ago. Had they not been down to their third-string goalie, they might have been able to eliminate New York.
The reigning division winners, the Carolina Hurricanes, added 2017 Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns. He might be 37, but he still generates shots and moves the puck, and the Canes needed a right-shot puck-mover after dealing Tony DeAngelo to the Flyers last week during the NHL draft in Montreal.
Brent Burns, reportedly traded to CAR, is a veteran puck-moving defenceman who played the most minutes in the NHL in 2021-22. Loves to shoot the puck but has been way less trigger-happy in the past few seasons. Something tells me he'll be chucking pucks again. #LetsGoCanespic.twitter.com/MJFGL9tc3u
The club also took advantage of the Vegas Golden Knights' cap situation by acquiring Max Pacioretty in a trade for future considerations and signed speedy forward Ondrej Kase as a depth move, bringing in a total of five players on Wednesday.
The Washington Capitals also improved their Achilles' heel by signing goalie Darcy Kuemper, who is fresh off of a Stanley Cup win.
The Islanders' direction seems unclear, but general manager Lou Lamoriello often operates in secrecy, with few leaks and even fewer public comments.
That leaves the Flyers on an island by themselves. It might be a long season in Philly.
Philadelphia GM Chuck Fletcher said the Flyers couldn't make anything work with Gaudreau because of cap space. It's a problem of Fletcher's own creation, as he's been building the team since 2018, and fans have a right to be upset about this whiff.
The reason why Flyers fans are up in arms—and Blue Jackets fans are ecstatic—is that Gaudreau is a franchise-changer. As a speedy, playmaking winger, he's among the best passers in the league and has tremendous vision and instincts. All of this is in addition to his scorer's touch. He just completed a monster season, scoring 40 goals and putting up 115 points.
His size (5'9") has been a liability at times, so any team will need strength and size on the ice with him, but that's not exactly a problem, especially considering the Blue Jackets also signed 6'4" defenseman Erik Gudbranson on Wednesday.
CALGARY, AB - MAY 15: Johnny Gaudreau #13 of the Calgary Flames speaks to media after the Flames defeated the Dallas Stars during the overtime period of Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Saddledome on May 15, 2022 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Flames defeated the Stars 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)
The biggest problem facing Columbus now is Laine's contract. He's a restricted free agent in need of a raise. His previous salary was $7.5 million, and the Blue Jackets only have a little more than $3 million in cap space.
But even with Laine, this team might not be formidable enough to fight off all of the competition in the Metro. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins has not looked as strong as he did during his rookie campaign and the Jackets failed to trade his backup, Joonas Korpisalo. Columbus' .897 save percentage was ranked 24th last season.
The power-play success rate was only 24th in the league. There were plenty of growing pains in head coach Brad Larsen's first season, but there were bright spots too—namely, the growth of top prospects Kent Johnson and Cole Sillinger. This may not be the year we see Columbus become serious contenders, but if they take strides and play in meaningful games down the stretch, it shouldn't be considered a failed year.
It's why the signing of Gaudreau is so fascinating. You don't bring in a player like Gaudreau just to make strides—you bring him in to win. It won't be easy in the Metropolitan Division, but the rest of the teams have just been put on notice.
Johnny Gaudreau, Blue Jackets Agree to Reported 7-Year Contract with $9.8M AAV
Jul 13, 2022
Calgary Flames left wing Johnny Gaudreau (13) looks to pass the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, April 18, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)
Left wing Johnny Gaudreau has signed a seven-year deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team announced Wednesday.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the deal was done, for a reported $9.8 million annual average value.
The news comes after The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reported Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen "made a major play" for the veteran once free agency opened.
The Philadelphia Flyers were Gaudreau's top choice, ESPN's Emily Kaplan reported Wednesday, but the franchise was unable to clear enough cap space to even offer him a contract.
The New York Islanders and New Jersey Devils were also among the teams that expressed interest in signing Gaudreau this summer.
Gaudreau previously played eight seasons with the Calgary Flames. His best effort came last year when he recorded 38 goals and 70 assists for 108 points.
Thanks largely to his efforts, the Flames finished first in the Pacific Division and reached the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs before falling to the Edmonton Oilers in five games.
The 28-year-old, who starred at Boston College before heading to the NHL, has posted 208 goals and 394 helpers for his career.
Gaudreau signed a six-year, $40.5 million contract before the 2016-17 season. It's safe to say that deal worked out for the Flames, but it's still a tough blow for the organization, which looked primed to contend well into the decade had he stayed.
Columbus will now benefit from his point-scoring prowess as he provides a massive boost to their offense. The Blue Jackets finished sixth in the Metropolitan Division last season with a 37-38-7 record and missed the postseason. Gaudreau figures to immediately slot in on the team's top line alongside Jakub Voracek and Jack Roslovic.
With Gaudreau locked up, Columbus can now shift its attention to re-signing restricted free agents Patrik Laine and Emil Bemstrom.
