The Bolts
The Tampa Bay Lightning pick #27 in the NHL Draft next weekend. If they have a chance to draft Connor McMichael, they’ll be getting a very high-risk, high-reward young centreman. [Raw Charge]
McMichael is a very gifted athlete in the offensive zone who at times fails to show the same dedication on the other side of the ice, even though he’s shown flashes of a strong two-way game. Offensively, McMichael is one of the best in the draft at creating shots for himself and his teammates in high-danger areas. You can see in his shot chart below that all his chances come right around the slot; it’s just a big blog of blue in the middle of the ice.
Sunday was Father’s Day (happy father’s day to all the dads and fatherly figures out there in the world!) In honor of that, here are some great Father’s Day messages from the Tampa Bay Lightning!
What a amazing Father’s Day. Best part was seeing my kids hanging out with their great Grandma! pic.twitter.com/ew59g9DOAs
— Ryan Callahan (@TheRealCally24) June 16, 2019
Last year on Father’s Day, we asked some #NHL hockey dads to write letters to their sons. Some really good ones, including a letter from @tjohnny09 dad Ken (pictured below) and @BriBrows22 dad Artie https://t.co/EcsAfQ69sR pic.twitter.com/eEWBVRGlUp
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) June 16, 2019
Happy Father’s Day to all of the dads out there. I’m blessed with my own dad and couldn’t be happier trying to raise these three pic.twitter.com/VqU0UPTJZS
— Martin St.Louis (@mstlouis_26) June 16, 2019
Happy father’s day to all the fathers out there. Enjoy your day, you deserved it😁
— nikita alekseev (@smallfoot81) June 16, 2019
The Game
If anyone’s on Twitter and are tired of hearing about Mitch Marner’s contract, feel free to stay off it for the day.
👀🌶️🔥💰 pic.twitter.com/HZt1XkYK9J
— dom luszczyszyn (@domluszczyszyn) June 16, 2019
The Anaheim Ducks are planning to promote Dallas Eakins to head coach of the team after an “extensive search.” Interesting tactic by the Ducks, going after the early 2010’s Maple Leafs’ coaches back to back times.
JUST IN: Dallas Eakins is the “last man standing” in #Ducks‘ head coaching search, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli. A formal announcement is expected sometime this week.
MORE: https://t.co/UDzFHybTGR pic.twitter.com/7RtWrrR7lY
— SportsCentre (@SportsCentre) June 16, 2019
The Washington Capitals have re-signed Carl Hagelin to a four-year contract at a very reasonable price. [Japers Rink]
He had no problem fitting in, becoming an instant leader in the locker room and an asset on ice who displayed automatic chemistry with his teammates – pretty much on any line. He finished with three goals and 11 points through his 20 games with Washington to close out the regular season. Prior to that, he’d had just two goals and six points in 38 games combined between the Penguins and Kings this year.
The Capitals have re-signed Carl Hagelin. Four years, $11 million. That’s an AAV of $2.75 million.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) June 16, 2019
Olli Maatta is now a member of the Chicago Blackhawks, so what does he bring to them? [Second City Hockey]
You hit the nail on the head, it’s an oft-repeated observation — which isn’t untrue — that Maatta typically plays up or down to the quality of his partner. If he’s with a mobile, puck mover and just a good all around player (like Matt Niskanen or Justin Schultz) then the pair performs very well and drives great results. But Maatta will sink with weaker partners and struggle when playing with replacement level players like Jack Johnson or Juuso Riikola.
Are there trends you can find in a team’s drafting? Brandon Cain has a look to see if one of the more longer-term GMs, Stan Bowman, has a type. [Second City Hockey]
Bowman has used 25 percent of those picks on Canadian Hockey League players. Of the CHL picks, eight have come from the Ontario Hockey League, seven from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and five from the Western Hockey League. Chicago has selected two players from one club in each CHL league: Saginaw (OHL), Victoriaville (QMJHL) and Portland (WHL).
Heading back to the Capitals, check out what Alex Ovechkin is doing this summer.
Flyboarding Alex Ovechkin proves every summer is the summer of Ovi https://t.co/q9rCkSWBL0
— RMNB (@russianmachine) June 16, 2019
And finally, let’s talk about the upcoming CBA and what the NHLPA is really going to dig their heels into. Hint, it’s money. [TSN]
Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement, NHL owners and players divide hockey-related revenue 50/50, and if player salaries exceed that split a certain percentage is withheld in escrow to make it even. The Chicago Blackhawks captain and fellow players have lost upward of 10% of their pay to escrow over the past seven seasons, which is why 25 of 31 NHL Players’ Association representatives surveyed by The Associated Press and Canadian Press named escrow as the biggest bargaining issue with September deadlines looming to terminate the current CBA effective the fall of 2020.
