Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Scott Stevens Resigns from Minnesota Wild as Scott Gomez Named Assistant Coach for New York Islanders




 
One former New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup winner, Scott Stevens, has decided to step away from the coaching ranks in the National Hockey League, while another one, Scott Gomez, jumps behind the bench on Tuesday.

Stevens has resigned from the Minnesota Wild letting the organization know that he wants to spend more time with his family back home in New Jersey. Prior to the start of the 2016-2017 NHL season, Stevens relocated to Minnesota to become an Assistant Coach with the Wild on Bruce Boudreau’s staff, while his wife Donna stayed in the Garden State and his two of children resided in New York City.

Stevens said on the Wild’s website, “I just want to be close to them. That is the toughest part of job, moving away from your house and being away from your family. I need them and that is what it comes down to.”     

He continued, “When you have been in one spot for a long time, and you raise your kids, it is a lot tougher than you think. I had nothing but a great experience in Minnesota. I met a lot of people and have a lot of new friends that I will keep forever.”

This past season, Stevens’ main duties dealt with helping shore up the defense for the Wild, as he also helped with the penalty kill. The Wild put up a franchise best in wins and points as they went 49-25-8 on the season.  

Under the former Devils captain’s tutelage, the Wild gave up the seventh fewest goals (2.51 goals against/game) in the NHL last season and were the eight best penalty killers at 82.9 percent. The Wild fell to the St. Louis Blues in the opening round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Chuck Fletcher, General Manager of the Wild said, “We thank Scott for the hard work and dedication he provided our team this past season. We respect his decision to spend more time with his family and wish him the best in his future endeavors.”   

Stevens added, “It was difficult. The hockey part is kind of the easy part; that is what you know, that is what you love. It is the other parts that are tough. I had a wonderful experience; I learned a lot from Bruce. The coaching staff was outstanding; we got along great. I will miss that part but I will be cheering for the Wild and I will be staying in touch with Bruce.”
 
Wild young defensemen, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Dumba and Jonas Brodin all set career highs in points this past season under Stevens. Spurgeon scored 38 (10 goals & 28 assist), Dumba had 34 (11 G & 23 A) and Brodin put up 25 (3 G & 22 A).

Stevens said, “I had a lot of fun working with the players. It was one of the draws in coming to Minnesota. They are a great group of guys, very responsive and they are quite young yet. It takes a while for defensemen, and I think they made progress. I think there is a lot more to come for some of these younger defensemen moving forward.”  

Stevens had a 22-year career in the NHL with the Devils, Blues and Washington Capitals. In his 13 years in New Jersey, he captained the Devils to four Stanley Cup Finals, hoisting the silver chalice three times. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007.

Boudreau told the Star-Tribune, “You can see why he is a Hall of Famer and Stanley Cup Champion. I learned so much about what it takes to be a champion just by watching him work. All of those little things, it is going to be hard to replace.”   

After serving as an assistant coach with the Devils from 2012-2014, Stevens was named as a co-coach of the team, on December 27, 2014. He served in that role with fellow assistant coach, Adam Oates and general manager, Lou Lamoriello until the end of the 2014-2015 season.

Stevens added, “At this point, I am just going to take a step back. I really have no plans. I just want to get back home and get settled and we will see where it goes.”
 

Gomez, was named an assistant coach on New York Islanders head coach, Doug Weight’s staff on Tuesday. The former Devils Stanley Cup winner, becomes the second assistant coach named to Weight’s staff in the past two weeks. Luke Richardson joined the Islanders bench on May 18th

Towards the end of Gomez’s playing career, if things were not going like he wanted it to, he would keep in touch with Weight for some guidance. Gomez said, “He always had time and words of encouragement. It is funny how the hockey world works.”
 
Gomez played 16 years in the NHL, before retiring before the start of the 2016-2017 season. He said, “A couple of months ago, Doug texted me and said he wanted to talk. We got on the phone and he asked me what my plans were, what I wanted to do. We ended up talking hockey for few hours. I met him for a couple of interviews and got offered the job.”

Selected by the Devils with the 27th overall pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, Gomez won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year after putting up 70 points (19 G & 51 A) in 82 games during the 1999-2000 season. He also helped the Devils and head coach Larry Robinson, raise the Stanley Cup in his rookie season. In 2003, while playing for the late Pat Burns, he and the Devils won the Stanley Cup again. 

In 1,079 games between the Devils, New York Rangers, Montreal Canadiens, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers, Blues and Ottawa Senators, he put up 756 points (181 G & 575 A). In 149 Stanley Cup Playoff games, he scored 101 points (29 G & 72 A). 

Weight said, “Scott brings an immense amount of hockey knowledge to our coaching staff. His offensive instincts, expertise on the powerplay, and the way that he could control the game with his skating and smarts are all key elements that we want implemented in our group. He played in the league as recently as 2015-2016 season, so he can relate to today’s NHL player to bring out the best in each member of the team.”       

After putting up one assist in 13 games for the Senators during the 2015-2016 season, he decided to announce his retirement on September 1, 2016. The Senators were his fifth team in four seasons. He added that those trying times could be beneficial to him as he begins his coaching career. 

Gomez said, “I knew playing for all of those teams at the end, I got to see a lot of stuff and I took a lot of notes. I was a student of the game the whole time. I got an Ivy League education right when I got in, a hockey education from some of the greats. There are still guys that I count on and learn from, but it is not just something that we are friends and he is giving me a chance; we did the interview process and hopefully I can bring something to the table. It does not matter how old you are, it is whether you can produce.”  

This past season, his first in retirement, Gomez served as an analyst for NHL Network. While he said he enjoyed that time in front of the camera, he sensed something was still missing. 

He said, “NHL Network was great to me, but this was my life’s goal, my life’s work. This is what I know and this is what I want to be a part of. Nothing will ever match playing in the NHL, but all the older guys I have spoken to say this is the closest thing. To be able to give back and work with the guys and see it on the ice, that is just as gratifying. I am definitely excited about that.”  

In his new role with the Islanders, Gomez is expected to help fix a power play that was ranked 28th in the NHL, at 14.9 percent. Nothing has been determined though of what will be required of him as he begins his new position. 

Weight and general manager, Garth Snow, may still add to the coaching staff before the beginning of the 2017-2018 season. Assistant coaches, Bob Corkum, will not return to the team and Greg Cronin’s status is still undetermined. Sportsnet has also reported that the Islanders may bring, Weight’s, Edmonton Oilers teammate, Kelly Buchberger in to join the staff.

Gomez added, “I just got in the door. Whatever Doug tells me. You have got to know all the aspects of the game. I am not just going in there saying, ‘Hey, I know the powerplay.’ No, you have got to learn from the goalie, defense --- you have got to learn everything.”   

He added that he has not forgotten how helpful Weight was when he needed him most, as he said, “It is my turn to give back to Doug Weight. He got me in the door. It is exciting.” 

Monday, May 29, 2017

Vegas Golden Knights Given Extra Time to Complete Expansion Draft Process




The National Hockey League announced on Monday that the Vegas Golden Knights will get an additional 24 hours to complete their expansion draft process. 

The Golden Knights originally had 48 hours to choose the players they wish to complete their original roster, but on Monday, Deputy Commissioner, Bill Daly let them know they would have 72 hours to make their selections. The other 30 franchises in the NHL need to submit their list of protected players to the Golden Knights by 10 AM on June 18. The Golden Knights will then have until 10 AM on June 21 to provide the NHL with who they have selected to fill out their roster. 

Vegas will also be allowed to sign any unrestricted or restricted free agents, left unprotected by their current clubs during the same window for the expansion draft. The same free agents would not be allowed to sign with one of the other teams, except the Golden Knights or their current one, until July 1. 

During the expansion draft process, the Golden Knights will select one player from each club, so that they end up with 30 players on their roster. The results of the expansion draft will be revealed during the 2017 NHL Awards, which will take place at the T-Mobile Arena, on June 21. 

Each of the 30 teams will have the option of protecting seven forwards, three defensemen and one goalie or a total of eight skaters, regardless of forwards or defenders, and one goalie. Any player with a no-movement clause must be protected, unless he waives it. First-year and second-year players, as well as unsigned draft picks are exempt from being able to be drafted by the Golden Knights, and therefore do not need to be protected. 

Of the 30 players that Vegas needs to select, they need at least 14 forwards, nine defensemen and three goalies. A minimum of 20 of those players will have to be under contract for the 2017-2018 season.
 
Tickets for the 2017 NHL Awards Show and Expansion Draft will range from 15 dollars to 30 dollars. The event will be televised live on NBC Sports and Sportsnet at 7:30 PM Eastern Time and 4:30 PM Pacific Time. 

Following the televised portion of the event, fans in attendance at T-Mobile Arena will be able to stay for an expansion draft recap and celebration event hosted by Golden Knights owner, Bill Foley, hockey operations and front office staff and select players. It will be the fans first opportunity to hear from some of the newly drafted Golden Knights. 

Tampa Bay Lightning to Host 2018 NHL All Star Game




The National Hockey League announced on Monday that the 2018 NHL All Star Game will take place at AMALIE Arena in Tampa, Florida on January 28, 2018. 

The league’s midseason classic will again feature a three-on-three tournament between the four conferences for the third season in a row. The NHL Skills Competition will take place on Saturday, January 27 with the All-Star Tournament being played on Sunday, January 28. 

The league had success with the previous two all-star games, in Los Angeles, California in 2016 and Nashville, Tennessee last season, using the same format. Like in those two games, the 2018 NHL All-Star Game will be divided into three 20-minute mini games of three-on-three action.

 All-Stars from the Atlantic, Pacific, Metropolitan and Central Divisions will face off against each in the first two periods. The two winning divisions will then battle it out in the third period for the bragging rights of All-Star Game Champion.

Commissioner, Gary Bettman said, “We are looking to bring the 2018 All-Star Game celebration to the Tampa Bay area. In addition to the events on the ice, we are planning outside activities which will embrace the Tampa Bay community and Gasparilla events, as well as the Florida sunshine. Wed know Jeff Vinik, the Lightning and AMALIE Arena will be outstanding hosts as the NHL family gathers for our midseason showcase.”
 
Vinik, Chairman and Governor of the Lightning added, “We are thrilled to host the 2018 NHL All Star Game at AMALIE Arena. We have worked hard over the past several years to transform Tampa Bay into a hockey market. The honor of hosting the all-star game validates that work, but it is not the end of our efforts. We pledge to work alongside the NHL as well as leaders across Tampa Bay to deliver a world class experience for All-Star players, fans and partners.”
 
Vinik purchase the Lightning in March of 2010 and since that time, has spearheaded a complete brand and business transformation, in the Tampa area, both on and off the ice. Some of those transformations include a 90-million-dollar investment into improvements of AMALIE Arena as well as 13 million donated to local charitable organizations through the Lightning Community Heroes program. 

The team has nearly tripled its season ticket base, to almost 14,000 and has made three trips to the Eastern Conference Finals and a trip to the Stanley Cup Final (2015) in the last seven years. 

Tampa Mayor, Bob Buckhorn said, “Tampa is a world class destination that hosts events on the national stage better than anyone and there is no better city to host the NHL All-Star Game in America. Whether you are attending a concert at Curtis Hixon Park, taking in the views of the city by water taxi or crossing the bay for some fun in the sand, there is something for everyone. What is better than a hockey town with palm trees?”
 
The 2018 game will mark the second time that it will be played on the Gulf Coast. The Bolts also hosted the 1999 NHL All-Star game. The NHL will release more details on the event, from ticket information to fan events and festivities, as the 2017-2018 season draws closer.