Bob Boughner Fired as Sharks Head Coach After 3 Seasons
Jul 1, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 25: Interim Head Coach of the San Jose Sharks Bob Boughner watches a play on the ice against the Philadelphia Flyers on February 25, 2020 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images)
The San Jose Sharks fired
head coach Bob Boughner on Friday after three straight playoff-less seasons.
Assistant coaches John Madden and John MacLean were also let go, as was assistant coach (video) Dan Darrow.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman broke the news of Boughner's dismissal.
Boughner took over the Sharks' staff on
an interim basis in December 2019 following the dismissal of Peter
DeBoer. He was promoted to the full-time role in September 2020. It
marked his second head coaching job after two seasons with the
Florida Panthers (2017-19).
San Jose posted a 67-85-23 record (.449
points percentage) during his tenure. The team finished 12th
in the Western Conference with 77 points in 2021-22.
In May, Boughner said he felt the
Sharks were ready to turn a corner next season and confirmed the staff's desire to return.
"We put a lot of time in with this
group, and we want to be a part of it moving forward," the 51-year-old Canadian told
reporters. "I've said there's light at the end of the tunnel
for sure. The guys play hard for us, bought into the system, bought
into the culture we created, the environment and they all want to
improve."
It's unclear why San Jose waited so
long to make a decision about the coaches, but it's likely
linked to the franchise's GM search, which is nearing an end.
Friedman reported Wednesday on The Jeff
Marek Show (via Sheng Peng of SJ Hockey Now) the Sharks had narrowed
their list down to a group of finalists, which was expected to include former
NHL players Ray Whitney and Mike Grier.
It's not uncommon for a new
GM to hire their own coaching staff.
Boughner played 10 NHL seasons with six
different teams. He earned the nickname "The Boogieman" for
his physical style of play.
The former defenseman started his
coaching career with the OHL's Windsor Spitfires in 2006 and received
his first NHL opportunity as an assistant with the Columbus Blue
Jackets in 2010.
San Jose will probably want its new GM
in place before the 2022 NHL draft gets underway Thursday, and the
coaching search figures to start shortly after that hire.
Kevin Fiala's RFA Rights Traded to Kings; Wild Get 1st-Round Draft Pick, Brock Faber
Jun 29, 2022
ST. LOUIS, MO - MAY 06: Minnesota Wild leftwing Kevin Fiala (22) during game 3 of the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs between the Minnesota Wild and the St. Louis Blues on May 06, 2022, at Enterprise Center, St. Louis, MO. (Photo by Keith Gillett/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images),
Kevin Fiala's career with the Minnesota Wild has come to a close.
The Wild have traded the rights to Fiala, a pending restricted free agent, to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for Brock Faber and the team's 2022 first-round draft pick, the team announced Wednesday.
The expectation is that Fiala will sign a long-term extension with the Kings, according to TSN's Chris Johnston. NHL insider Elliotte Friedman added that he believes the extension will be worth around $7.9 million annually.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that the Kings were given permission to negotiate an extension with Fiala before the trade was finalized. He added that the deal is expected to be for seven years.
The Kings were granted permission to negotiate an extension with Fiala prior to this trade being finalized.
The Nashville Predators selected Fiala 11th overall in the 2014 NHL draft. In 204 games across four-and-a-half seasons with the Preds, he tallied 45 goals and 52 assists for 97 points.
Nashville traded Fiala to Minnesota during the 2018-19 season in exchange for Mikael Granlund. He had an impressive career with the Wild, tallying 79 goals and 107 assists for 186 points in 215 games.
The 25-year-old had a breakout 2021-22 campaign, notching a career-high 33 goals and 52 assists for 85 points in 82 games, and was due for a pretty significant extension after earning $5.1 million last season.
However, Minnesota would not have been able to pay Fiala the $7.9 million per year he is expected to receive from Los Angeles. The Wild are projected to have about $6.6 million in salary-cap space, according to CapFriendly, and they need to re-sign some other players as well as make some offseason additions if they hope to contend for a title in 2022-23.
The Wild finished the 2021-22 season second in the Central Division with a 53-22-7 record. However, they fell to the St. Louis Blues in the first round of the playoffs despite posting the first season of 50-plus wins in franchise history.
As for the Kings, they finished third in the Pacific Division with a 44-27-11 record but fell in the first round of the playoffs to the Edmonton Oilers. It was an impressive season, but the franchise could have certainly used some depth on the wings.
It's unclear how L.A. plans to use Fiala. However, he will likely slot in on the top line alongside Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe. He could also fit on the second line with Phillip Danault and former Preds teammate Viktor Arvidsson.
The Kings have a nice mix of seasoned veterans and youngsters in Quinton Byfield, Arthur Kaliyev, Jordan Spence and Tobias Bjornfot. That mix of experience and young blood should benefit the franchise in its pursuit of another Stanley Cup.
That said, the franchise now does not have a first-round pick in the 2022 draft to add to its already-talented group, as the No. 19 selection has been traded to the Wild.
As for Faber, the Kings selected the defenseman in the second round of the 2020 NHL draft, and he has spent the last two seasons playing college hockey for the University of Minnesota. During the 2021-22 campaign, he tallied two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in 32 games.
Faber also appeared in four games for Team USA at the Beijing Olympics, posting one assist.
Brock Faber was working on an essay for college when the trade went down. World-class skater, tough, right-shot defenseman, an area where the Wild are light in the prospect pool
It's unclear when Faber might make his debut for the Wild, but considering he currently plays for the University of Minnesota and is a Minnesota native, this trade must be a dream come true for the 19-year-old.
Should Canucks Trade for J.T. Miller Amid NHL Rumors?
Jun 29, 2022
VANCOUVER, BC - APRIL 26: J.T. Miller #9 of the Vancouver Canucks skates up ice during their NHL game against the Seattle Kraken at Rogers Arena April 26, 2022 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)"n
With the 2022 NHL draft less than two weeks away, teams around the league are beginning to focus their energies on moves to improve their rosters and that always includes trades.
And the Vancouver Canucks, in particular, have to figure out what they are going to do when it comes to their high-profile trade target, J.T. Miller.
Will they keep him or make a deal? Right now, all signs are pointing to the latter.
According to The Athletic's Rick Dhaliwal, the Canucks have been listening to offers on their star left winger for a while now.
"The Canucks have made teams aware they’re listening to offers on J.T. Miller," Dhaliwal said on the Donnie and Dhali - The Team show. "I got to the Miller camp this morning and they are not surprised, folks, that these reports, the Canucks are listening on Miller.
"In fact, one source told me today the Canucks have been listening to teams about Miller since February ... That’s five months ago. So, clearly it tells me the two sides are far apart on Miller; his worth on a new deal."
Vancouver has missed the playoffs the past two seasons, so the Canucks fans presumably won't be happy that their team is planning on moving a player who just logged a career-best 99 points this past season, especially since he has one year left on his deal.
But here's the rub: When players have the kind of year Miller just had, they want to cash in and get long-term deals.
If Vancouver doesn't pay the 29-year-old now, he'll walk in free agency next offseason for nothing.
Ryan Johnson, who was recently promoted to assistant to general manager Patrik Alvin, shared what his boss is thinking.
"At this point you’ve got to look at all options," told Donnie and Dhali. "Right now he’s a Vancouver Canuck and we prepare as if he is, but obviously there's discussions being had that obviously, now as the draft approaching, we've always got to look at options to make yourself a better team in the short term and the long term and that's a process Patrick is going through with all our players.
"We need to push ourselves to get a little uncomfortable to get better. We want to get better and this isn't a reference to J.T. Miller, but sometimes you got to make hard decisions as an organization to do that."
Right now, Miller is a bargain at the $5.25 million he's owed next season, but to keep him, the Canucks will need to give him a raise that pushes him into the $8.5 million to $9 million range on an extension.
But since Vancouver has been fielding offers on Miller for almost half a year, it must not be willing to pay market rate for a player who racked up 99 points.
So that means the alternate captain's tenure with the team could be nearing its conclusion.
The question is, though, should it be?
As far as the front office is concerned, clearing cap space is crucial to the rebuilding process, but if they could re-sign their star for a reasonable price, it makes all the sense in the world to retain him to be competitive and find a way to make the playoffs.
Vancouver has only made the postseason twice in the last nine years, so the fanbase is likely past its breaking point with the team's lack of success.
With that in mind, it may not be prudent for the front office to move its best player.
As Alvin said, though, tough decisions have to be made and there's precious little time before free agency begins on July 13.
If Vancouver keeps him, it's not going to be cheap, but Miller's production and grit is worth it.
Should the Canucks decide to move him, there are a number of teams willing to make their move.
According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Washington Capitals are one of them.
"Miller, I still think that it's a big contract that he's asking for," he told Donnie and Dhali. "I think the Canucks like other teams are worried about the term for him. I think now that Washington has lost {Nicklas} Backstrom and no one seems to know what the timeline here is, what are they gonna do?
"I've heard Kadri's name connected to the Capitals, I've heard Miller's name connected to the Capitals, so I wouldn't be surprised if he's the kind of guy that's on their radar."
Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews Wins Hart Trophy as 2021-22 NHL MVP
Jun 22, 2022
TORONTO, ON - MAY 2: Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks on against the Seattle Kraken during the first period in Game One of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Scotiabank Arena on May 2, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews has won the 2021-22 Hart Trophy as the player viewed to be the most valuable to his team, it was announced Tuesday. He beat out Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid and New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin for the honor.
This marks Matthews' first Hart Trophy victory, and he is the first Maple Leaf to win the award since Ted Kennedy in 1954-55. He was also nominated for the award during the 2020-21 campaign but came in second behind McDavid.
Matthews had a dominant season for the Maple Leafs, scoring a career-high 60 goals and 46 assists for 106 points in 73 games. It was his third consecutive season with at least 40 goals, and he has never scored less than 34 goals in each of his six seasons.
The 24-year-old's efforts helped Toronto finish second in the Atlantic Division with a 54-21-7 record. The team's 54 wins and 115 points were the most in franchise history.
The Maple Leafs selected Matthews first overall in the 2016 NHL draft, and he has been one of the best forwards in the league since. He has tallied 259 goals and 198 assists for 457 points in 407 games.
In addition to winning the Hart Trophy, he won the 2021-22 Rocket Richard Trophy as the league's top goal scorer and the Ted Lindsay Award. He also won the Rocket Richard during the 2020-21 season and won the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie during the 2016-17 season.
Matthews signed a five-year, $58.2 million deal with the Maple Leafs in 2019 and will be a free agent after the 2023-24 season. Based on the way he's been playing, he'll be in for a massive extension worth more than the $11.6 million annually he makes now.
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.
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.
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.
Shea Weber Traded to Golden Knights from Canadiens for Evgenii Dadonov
Jun 16, 2022
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JULY 07: Shea Weber #6 of the Montreal Canadiens kneels on the ice during warm-up before Game Five of the 2021 Stanley Cup Final between the Montreal Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on July 07, 2021 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Florence Labelle/NHLI via Getty Images)
The Montreal Canadiens have traded defenseman Shea Weber to the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for forward Evgenii Dadonov, the team announced Thursday.
General manager Kent Hughes said in a statement:
First of all, I would like to thank Shea for all that he has done for and represented to the Montreal Canadiens. Not only was Shea an exceptional hockey player who played through significant injuries in an attempt to bring the Stanley Cup back to Montreal, he was also a great leader whose leadership will have a positive impact on our team well beyond his time with us. I also want to welcome Evgenii Dadonov to our organization. He is a talented forward who has produced at all levels since the start of his career.
Weber has four years remaining on the 14-year, $110 million deal he signed with the Nashville Predators in July 2012. The Predators traded him to the Canadiens in June 2016 in exchange for P.K. Subban, who now plays for the New Jersey Devils.
Weber had spent the last five seasons of his career in Montreal, tallying 58 goals and 88 assists for 146 points in 275 games. He was named the team's captain in 2018.
Seeing as how Weber has a cap hit of nearly $7.9 million per year over the remaining years of his contract, it's not hard to see why the Canadiens traded him. Montreal finished the 2021-22 season with the worst record in the NHL at 22-49-11, and the Weber trade means that the team is committed to a rebuild.
That said, Dadonov is 33 years old and isn't going to help speed up Montreal's rebuild. However, he provides the Canadiens with more financial flexibility and he has just one year remaining on his contract at $5 million before entering free agency.
The Golden Knights initially tried to trade Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks in March, but the trade was invalidated by the NHL because of a discrepancy in the status of his no-trade clause that prohibited him from being sent to the Ducks.
In 78 games with the Golden Knights during the 2021-22 season, Dadonov tallied 20 goals and 23 assists for 43 points.
While the Canadiens cleared freed up some money by trading Weber, they still have just $1,923,334 in cap space, per CapFriendly. That's not going to be enough to make any significant additions in free agency.
That said, the Canadiens own the No. 1 pick in the 2022 NHL draft and will be able to select a player to build around for the future. Selecting someone like Shane Wright, Juraj Slafkovsky or Logan Cooley will help put Montreal back on the right path.
Bruce Cassidy Hired as Golden Knights Head Coach After Bruins Firing
Jun 14, 2022
Boston - April 23: Boston Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy talks to his players during a break in the second period. The Boston Bruins host the New York Rangers in a Garden matinee in Boston, MA on April 23, 2022. (Photo by Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
The Vegas Golden Knights announced the hiring of Bruce Cassidy to be their head coach on Tuesday.
The Golden Knights fired Peter DeBoer in May after the team failed to reach the postseason, while the Boston Bruins gave Cassidy the ax in June, a surprising move seeing as how he took the team to six straight playoffs.
Cassidy, 57, went 245-108-46 in his six years as the Bruins' head coach and led the team to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019.
Boston was eliminated in the opening round of this year's playoffs, however, and general manager Don Sweeney decided to go in a new direction.
"After taking some time to fully digest everything, I felt that the direction of our team for both this season and beyond would benefit from a new voice," he said in a statement.
Took Cassidy less than a week to go another job. Think he’s a good coach? https://t.co/eZb4W3ae2b
I think Cassidy is a great fit for VGK. Mature team. Plenty of talent. His Bruins teams were always able to defend. And they could score when Cassidy had the offensive players to make it happen. He's got something to prove after being the fall guy in Boston. That's powerful. https://t.co/CV3iccuMQN
The Golden Knights have had tremendous success in their five-year existence, making the playoffs four times, the conference final twice and the Stanley Cup Final in the 2017-18 season, the organization's maiden voyage.
But missing the postseason this past year led to the team changing course.
"The decision was made based on next year; the decision was not based on last year," general manager Kelly McCrimmon told reporters after firing DeBoer. "I'm not going to be critical of Pete or point out specifics as to why this decision was made. I've got a lot of respect for Pete as a man. I've got a lot of respect for him as a coach. These decisions are made for the future."
In three seasons, DeBoer was 98-50-12 as the head coach.
Cassidy was one of the top names on the coaching market, alongside more experienced options like Barry Trotz and John Tortorella, so his hiring was a solid move for a Vegas franchise looking to have a quick turnaround after a disappointing 2021-22 campaign.
Oilers’ Evander Kane Suspended 1 Game for Hit That Injured Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri
Jun 5, 2022
EDMONTON, AB - JUNE 04: Edmonton Oilers Left Wing Evander Kane (91) hits an Avs player in the first period during the Edmonton Oilers versus the Colorado Avalanche in the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, game 3 on June 04, 2022 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane has been suspended one game for boarding Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri.
The play occurred early in Game 3 of the Avs' Western Conference Final series against the Edmonton Oilers.
Kadri is out for at least the remainder of the Western Conference Final because of an undisclosed injury, per Avs head coach Jared Bednar (h/t Peter Baugh of The Athletic).
According to Gene Principe of Sportsnet, Kadri was seen with a soft cast on his right wrist Sunday.
The Avalanche lead the best-of-seven series three games to none after a 4-2 win over the Oilers on Saturday. Game 4 will take place on Monday at 8 p.m. ET in Edmonton.
Kadri is a big loss for the Avs. The 31-year-old has been sensational in this year's playoffs with six goals and eight assists in 13 games. He notably had the primary assist on the Avs' first three goals in a 4-0 win over Edmonton in Game 2.
Kane won't be easy to replace either. The 30-year-old dominated in limited action this year with 22 goals and 17 assists in 43 games. That's in addition to his NHL-high 13 goals in this season's playoffs.
Ultimately, the Oilers' backs are against the wall down 3-0. While not impossible, a comeback is unlikely against the Western Conference's top seed this year. The question for the Avs is the state of Kadri's health come Stanley Cup time.
It's unclear when the Final will take place until the New York Rangers vs. Tampa Bay Lightning series nears its conclusion. Right now, the Blueshirts hold a 2-1 series edge with Game 4 set for Tuesday. But Kadri would be a tough loss if he's forced to miss any Stanley Cup time.
For now, both teams need to regroup without their productive forwards as the Western Conference Final moves on.
