Sport-scan daily brief

“I was just being genuine,” Nurse said of meeting with various league scouts and management officials in recent days, “and trying to let them know who I am.”

Two of the teams that seem to be buying into his honest optimism are the Devils and Flyers, though neither is currently in a position of making Nurse their top choice. The Devils are picking at No. 9, the Flyers at No. 11 when this one-day rush of a draft commences Sunday at 3 o’clock at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Both may be poised to make trade overtures that could land them a top-5 drafting position, where both Nurse and fellow exciting defensive prospect Seth Jones are expected to go. The Flyers aren’t nearly as loaded with defensive prospects in their organization as the Devils are, which perhaps makes their interest that much more urgent. Either way, Nurse said he isn’t picking favorites.

“I would like to play anywhere in the NHL,” he said. “That’s the honest truth. I’m not going to say any specific place. It’s just always been my dream to play there.”

But to do so in Philadelphia, where Uncle Donovan McNabb was both cheered and vilified from start to finish during his long Eagles career? Nurse is the nephew of McNabb’s wife, Roxy. He was told enough as a kid about what it was like to play pro sports in South Philly.

“Philadelphia is not an easy place to play, but neither is Toronto,” Nurse said. “You get in those markets where the fans really care, and no matter how you play, good or bad, they’re going to let you know. You want to be from a town where everyone cares about their team.”

Near his Hamilton, Ontario, home, Nurse is perhaps better known as the son of Richard Nurse, once a wide receiver for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Richard and his wife, Cathy, who played basketball in college, steered their son away from football for what Darnell calls “safety reasons.” Recently, he came around to their way of thinking after a session of show and tell with his father.

“His hands are mangled, he can’t move some of his fingers and he’s got an elbow that doesn’t move right,” Nurse recently told the Canadian Press. “I looked at that and thought those are battle wounds.”

But that doesn’t mean an NHL career is going to keep him from being the same way.

“I like to hit,” Nurse said Friday with a grin.

He figures he at least has a chance to make that dream career a reality as soon as this fall. He has followed the glowing scouting reports that say his skills are NHL ready. He’s listed at 6-4 and 185, but says he’s perhaps 10 pounds heavier now while acknowledging he still has some growing to do.

With mom’s help, he’s getting there.

“That’s anyone’s goal that goes through this; you want to play as fast possible,” Nurse said. “I’m 6-4 and just almost getting to 200 pounds now. Mother Nature hasn’t really taken a toll on me yet. It’s going to take some time.

“I’m not going to put any limitations on myself and say I can’t do it, but with that said, I’m going to put in as much work as I can this summer to get ready.”

And what would that involve?

“Just eating,” Nurse answered. “You work out a lot and that’s never going to change. But my mom always has the fridge full.”

Nurse is just one defensive prospect Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren and his staff might be targeting. He’s accompanied by Jones, still ranked at the top of many draft boards, Finnish defender Rasmus Ristolainen and Canadian junior Ryan Pulock as the four defensive prospects that in many minds could make an NHL club out of a 2013 training camp.

Holmgren had good things to say about all of them, but seems to have scouted Nurse the most.

“I’ve seen Darnell play a few times,” Holmgren said. “He’s probably going to fill out. When you watch him play, he’s still a lot of elbows and knees, but he’s a hard-nosed player. He can fight. He’s pretty good with the puck. And he’ll continue to get better. But I have no idea if he’ll be there at our pick.”

In part, that might be up to Holmgren. Claude Giroux and perhaps Jake Voracek are the team’s only untouchable assets when it comes to trade talks, though Holmgren said he’d put Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier into that group, too. It could take one of those two latter young centers to put together a package that could get the Flyers into a position for either Jones or Nurse.

If Holmgren has determined it’s a necessity to select a defenseman in the first round — he hasn’t done so to this point — he does have potential fallbacks in Ristolainen or Pulock, either of whom could slip down a bit in the first round.

Whether they’d fall as far as 11, however, seems dubious at best.

“You have a lot of scenarios that you run through in mock drafts, so you generally have a pretty good idea,” Holmgren said. “But I guarantee you there will be at least one player that’s taken before we pick that we didn’t think would go there and that all of a sudden throws things into a little bit of a change of dynamic.”

Whatever the dynamic, both Nurse and Jones should impact it once this draft, one of the deepest in years, commences Sunday afternoon.

“I think it’s cool to be a part of it,” Nurse said. “You see guys like Seth who are so especially gifted and also great guys. Those are the types of experiences you want to be around, and also to be able to meet guys like that and take things away from them.”

Delaware County Times LOADED: 06.30.2013

683063 Philadelphia Flyers

Sources: Finding goalie still Flyers' primary focus

NEW YORK -- On the eve of Sunday’s NHL draft at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., the Flyers appear to be leaving no stones unturned in their efforts to live up to their reputation as a club that makes a splash at the league’s largest annual gathering.

Numerous sources say Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren has discussions with more than a half-dozen teams about various draft scenarios and player trades.

Finding another goalie remains Holmgren’s primary focus with several side issues.

“He’s made it known he’d like a goalie with no years or one-year left where they can get a read on that player before committing,” a source said.

Several sources say a deal for St. Louis’ Jaroslav Halak, as reported by CSNPhilly.com on Friday, would make sense for both clubs, but the Flyers feel Halak’s salary cap hit of $3.75 million is a bit high. A Blues-Kings source said Halak would be "a great goalie for the Flyers right now."

The Flyers could feel differently after the draft, if they return home empty-handed.

One source said today the Flyers had also talked to the Islanders about Evgeni Nabokov and that the Buffalo Sabres had asked Holmgren if there were interest in Ryan Miller, who has a year left on his deal with a very pricey $6.25 million cap hit, even if it’s just one season.

Coburn front

For weeks now, the Flyers have floated Braydon Coburn’s name out there to various clubs as trade bait.

TSN reported earlier the Flyers would like to strike a deal with Edmonton. However, an Oilers source said on Saturday the Flyers’ target here is not Edmonton’s No. 7 overall pick but rather both of the Oilers' second round picks - No. 37 and No. 56 (from Anaheim). The Oilers want to retain their first-round pick.

The Flyers pick 41st that round. They could conceivably have three picks in that round if a deal went down. NHL Central Scouting says this draft is very deep through the second round which makes it more likely some club could strike it rich if it had multiple picks.

The Calgary Flames offered the Flyers their sixth overall pick for Matt Read, Coburn and the Flyers 11th pick - an excessive amount to ask. GM Jay Feaster feels he can get that from a team like the Flyers looking for an impact player now. Sources said the Flyers rejected the offer.

Lecavalier and the Flyers

According to a report from TSN and ESPN's Pierre LeBrun, the Flyers are "quite keen" on former Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier and met with him Saturday.

Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman announced in a statement on Thursday that his team would buy out buy out the remainder of Lecavalier's 11-year, $85 million deal. The total buyout comes to $32.67 million over the next 14 years.

The No. 1 overall pick of the 1998 draft, Lecavalier helped lead the Lightning to their first Stanley Cup in 2004 and owns the team record for games played (1, 037) and goals (383). He is second to Martin St. Louis in total points and assists.

Nathan Horton

The Bruins realize he’s headed for free agency. Horton is going to generate a huge amount of interest and plays a physical brand of hockey which would be perfect for the Flyers.

Alas, Horton will command at least $6 million a year and he wants nothing less than a five-year deal.

Given the Flyers just bought out Danny Briere, who’s cap hit was $6.5 million, Horton would not be a prudent financial investment for the Flyers unless the club could lose more salary.

Kris Letang

Sometime next season, Penguins general manager Ray Shero may have to trade his most mobile defenseman, who rejected an eight-year, $56 million contract extension earlier this week.

But not just yet. Shero said on Saturday he was still hoping to get something done and time is an ally here.

“Kris seems happy in Pittsburgh and says he wants to stay here, so we’ll work at it,” Shero said.

“He’s worth waiting on in terms of making the right decisions and have all the information. There’s a time to make a deal.

“To sign a player, there’s also time you realize that you can’t. That’s not apparent to me right now.”

It goes without saying, Shero would never trade a franchise defenseman within the division to a rival such as the Flyers.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.30.2013

683064 Philadelphia Flyers

Winning gold at Sochi 'an expectation' for USA

June 29, 2013, 2:00 pm

Tim Panaccio

NEW YORK – Shortly before USA Hockey introduced Penguins coach Dan Bylsma as Team USA’s head coach for the Sochi Olympics, its president, Jim DeGregorio, perfectly framed the task at hand.

“Winning the gold medal is not a miracle,” DeGregorio said, referencing the 1980 Miracle on Ice at Lake Placid. “It is an expectation.”

An expectation that is going to weigh heavily upon Bylsma, who may have won a Stanley Cup and a Jack Adams Award, but has zero international experience.

“I don’t have any experience,” Bylsma said, laughing. “Knowing I was going to be the head coach, I started going down the road educating myself as much as possible, in terms of international hockey, competition, playing on a bigger ice surface.

“Talked to some players and coaches and continue to do that to gain as much experience on that situation on and off the ice. Getting as much experience as I can in the next several months and gaining some of that knowledge.”

Help is nearby. Penguins general manager Ray Shero will serve as Team USA GM David Poile’s associate.

The Winter Games in Socchi, Russia are 220 days away.

The Americans took the silver medal -- Canada grabbed gold -- at the Vancouver Games in 2010.

This U.S. team is expected to have two recent Conn Smythe winners on it: goalie Jonathan Quick and forward Patrick Kane, plus two emerging American players -- Zach Parise and Ryan Suter.

All of which bolsters hopes that Team USA will finally win the gold after two silvers in the previous two North American Games (Salt Lake and Vancouver).

“It’s possible based on we have so many good players,” Poile said during the news conference held at Marquis Marriott. “We have a pool to choose from in 2014 that is even bigger. This is a little different challenge for us.

“Our philosophy is going to be a little different because it’s in Europe. We have not had a lot of success in Europe, whether it be World Championships or Olympic Teams.”

The challenges of playing in Russia are very different. Though the NHL still has not formally said “yes” to Sochi, it’s going to happen soon.

“Obviously, our comfort level in Salt Lake City and Vancouver were reflected in the results,” Poile said. “The ice surface and how we chose our team. It’s different in Europe. Travel is different.

“We’re going to have to cope with lots of different situations, from sleep to the size of rinks, and it probably can’t be the same type of team [as Vancouver]. We haven’t had success over there and we have to change things around.”

Poile said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren, who serves on the advisory board, and former Atlanta Thrashers GM Don Waddell, also on that board, are expected to give their input on obstacles faced while playing in Europe, since both were at the Torino Games in 2006. Former Olympians Bill Guerin and Doug Weight will also chime in.

Bylsma said the quick turnaround from the NHL schedule break to going to Russia and playing with little practice because of time constraints will be a significant factor.

“The wear and tear on players stepping into international competition, then coming back, there is an effect in planning and go in there,” he said. “Distance, travel, time zone change, planning … sleep, limited practice time.”

This will be Bylsma’s first chance behind the bench internationally, coaching against Penguin centers Sidney Crosby (Team Canada) and Evgeni Malkin (Russia).

“I’ve coached Sidney and Evgeni a long time now, four-plus years, so I am acutely aware of their strengths as players,” Bylsma said. “… having said that, I’m a little concerned [Crosby] knows me as a coach and knows my strengths and weaknesses and will bring that to the Canadian team.”

Poile said the roster will be heavily laced with players who can skate well because of the larger ice surface.

The timeline for picking the team is still in the discussion stages, although Team USA’s Orientation Camp will be held Aug. 25-29 at Ketter Ice Plex in Arlington, Va., where the Washington Capitals practice.

What are the odds Team USA wins the gold?

“We can’t bet in hockey,” Poile laughed. “Just being in hockey is a gamble itself.”

Team USA braintrust

The advisory board also includes other NHLers: Dale Tallon (Florida GM), Dean Lombardi (Los Angeles GM), Stan Bowman (Chicago GM), plus Holmgren and Brian Burke, who will serve as player personnel director. Both Holmgren and Burke were not present at today’s news conference because they were not yet in New York for Sunday’s NHL draft at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.30.2013

683065 Philadelphia Flyers

Draft prospect Nurse models game after Pronger

June 29, 2013, 10:00 am

Tim Panaccio

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- He smiles a lot. He seems to exhibit an air of confidence you don’t expect to find in an 18-year-old.

Did we mention defensive prospect Darnell Nurse idolizes Chris Pronger and says he someday hopes to match his snarl off the ice?

He feels he already has it on the ice.

Sounds like a perfect candidate for the Flyers were it not for one thing: Nurse says the Devils and Scott Stevens remain close to his heart, even though he grew up in Hamilton, Ont., and not North Jersey.

Nurse, from Saulte Ste. Marie, is one of several defensemen the Flyers are interested in heading into Sunday’s NHL draft at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.

He was among a short, select group of players available Friday at an NHL draft luncheon.

Ryan Pulock and Rasmus Ristolainen -- two other prospects the Flyers like -- were not invited to the event, even though NHL personnel originally said they backed out.

“I’ve always loved the Devils, ever since I was young,” said Nurse, whose uncle is Donovan McNabb. His father, Richard, was a wide receiver for the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger Cats.

“The Devils were my favorite team,” he added, “especially with Scott Stevens when they won the Cup.”

So you didn’t like Flyers if you liked the Devils?

“But I love Pronger!” Nurse laughed. “For me, I have favorite players and follow them wherever they play.”

Nurse, who is still growing, has ample athletic ability, but lacks the offense and puck skills of Seth Jones, who is the unanimous No. 1 defensemen in the draft -- ranked No. 1 overall by NHL Central Scouting.

What Nurse does bring, however, is a raw edge to his game as a shutdown defender, who also takes his share of penalties and likes to intimidate on the ice like Pronger.

“You watch the game and [Pronger] has so much room just based on the fact of how hard he is to play against,” Nurse said. “That is something I like to take away from his game.”

What about Pronger’s snarl?

“That’s something you either got or don’t have.”

Have it?

How about Pronger’s sarcasm in interviews?

“I like it, I like it,” Nurse laughed. “That’s as far as I’m gonna go.”

Nurse led the Greyhounds with 116 penalty minutes, was second on his club with a plus-15 rating and third in scoring among the Greyhounds’ defensive corps with 41 points in just his second season in the OHL.

Dan Marr, director of Central Scouting, compares Nurse to Nashville’s Shea Weber.

“He’s got a little bit of a mix where he is good at the skill game, good at the physical game, got a good shot from the point,” Marr said. “He’s a pretty good package.”

Added Central Scouting’s Chris Edwards: “He’s the kind of guy who is not going to make a lot of mistakes. He’s steady and solid, and you can trust him out there. Anytime you get a guy his size, who skates as well as he does and plays a physical game, it’s fun to watch.”

Nurse was very politically correct when answering where he would like to play.

“I’d like to play anywhere in the NHL,” he said. “That’s the honest truth. I’m not going to say anything about a specific place.”

He did mention that McNabb talked to him about being a pro athlete in a tough town like Philadelphia.

“It’s not an easy town, but Toronto isn’t an easy town, either,” Nurse said. “[They’re] markets where fans really care how you play, good or bad.

“They will let you know. It’s an atmosphere you want to be in -- a town where people care about their team. It doesn’t matter to me where I go. For me, it’s my job to get ready for whatever situation.”

The Flyers could sorely use an impact defenseman who could play right now. Jones can play now. But Nurse? Scouts feel he needs more time.

“That just depends on what they want and what they need,” Nurse said. “I’m not going to put limitations on myself and say I couldn’t do it. I will put in as much work as I can this summer for however long it takes me.

“It’s anyone’s goal who goes through this. You want to play [professional] as quick as possible. Like I said, I’m 6-4 and just getting to 200 pounds now. Mother Nature hasn’t really taken her toll on me yet. It’s going to take some time.”

Wherever he lands, Nurse plans on bulking up his frame. He needs to be Pronger-size.

His plan?

“Just eating,” Nurse laughed. “You work out and work out hard. That will never change. My mom always has the fridge full. It will come. Pizza every Friday. For breakfast, turkey bacon and omelettes, I love that.”

Left-field option

In a year when defensemen are expected to rule this draft, it wouldn’t be unusual to see the Flyers do something totally out of left field and take a goalie.

The Edmonton Oilers, Buffalo Sabres, Devils and Flyers all have interest in Zach Fucale, who took Halifax to the Memorial Cup championship and has established a reputation as a kid who simply can’t be rattled -- a strong quality in a young goalie.

The Devils pick ninth, two spots ahead of the Flyers. The Sabres pick eighth and the Oilers pick sixth. There’s a good chance Fucale won’t be there when the Flyers pick at 11.

Asked about the conversations he had with the Flyers at the scouting combine in Toronto earlier this spring, Fucale said, “no comment.”

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 06.30.2013

683066 Philadelphia Flyers

The definitive 2013 NHL mock draft

Jun. 30, 2013 2:43 AM |

Written by

Dave Isaac

Later today, NHL general managers will march up to the lectern at Prudential Center in Newark and make important additions to their teams. After months of conjecture, identifying team weaknesses and player strengths the day has come to draft the future.

We turned to media members across the globe for their two cents on the teams they cover. Here’s one more mock draft to add to your reading list before the picks start officially coming in at 3 p.m.

1. Colorado Avalanche - D Seth Jones

The Avalanche's weakness is on the blueline, and Denver-raised Seth Jones is considered the best young draft-eligible defenseman in some time. Nathan MacKinnon might contribute more quickly, but Jones is what the Avs need and they should be patient with a kid that can make a big difference on and off the ice. — Mike Chambers, Denver Post

2. Florida Panthers - C Nathan MacKinnon

With Jones gone to the Avs, the Panthers look to fill a need in MacKinnon. With the probability of losing Stephen Weiss to free agency (or, likely, his rights being traded at the draft), Florida needs to find a quality center. MacKinnon fills that bill very nicely and will slide in with Calder-winner Jonathan Huberdeau almost immediately. — George Richards, Miami Herald

3. Tampa Bay Lightning - LW Jonathon Drouin

The play-making winger has a skill set too enticing to pass up. Although a bit undersized on a team that already has some smaller players, Drouin looks to be the perfect eventual replacement for Martin St. Louis as a set-up guy and compliment for top goal scorer Steven Stamkos for the next decade. — Erik Erlendsson, Tampa Tribune

4. Nashville Predators - C Aleksander Barkov

Barkov excelled in the Finnish Elite League last season, playing against men and some NHL players thanks to the lockout. Nashville needs a strong offensive center in its system, and Barkov more than fits that mold with both his skill and size. — Josh Cooper, Nashville Tennessean

5. Carolina Hurricanes - RW Valeri Nichuskin

The Hurricanes are after a player who can make the roster as a rookie and make an immediate impact. Nichuskin, with his size and skill, could be the answer and possibly a top-six forward. The "Russian factor" probably won't be a factor if Nichuskin is available. — Chip Alexander, News & Observer

6. Calgary Flames - C Sean Monahan

Desperate for centermen and size, take Sean Monahan, a six-foot-two pivot out of Ottawa of the Ontario Hockey League. A character kid with offensive upside. — Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald

7. Edmonton Oilers - D Nikita Zadorov

If Edmonton can't get Monahan or Barkov I believe they will trade back, but for the sake of a mock draft, Zadorov fills a need. — Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal

8. Buffalo Sabres - D Darnell Nurse

The Sabres’ draft needs changed considerably recently. Yes, they still have a dearth of top forwards and must add scorers up front. But their defense depth has been whittled away considerably. At one point in April, they had five healthy defenders with NHL experience in the organization. Nurse might be too good to pass up on. — Bill Hoppe, Olean Times Herald

9. New Jersey Devils - C Hunter Shinkaruk

The Devils have stocked their organization with promising young defensemen such as Adam Larsson, Jon Merrill, Damon Severson and Reese Scarlett but are still thin as far as skilled forwards, so that will be a priority in this draft. Shinkaruk isn’t big (5-10, 181), but has speed and skill that will remind some of Zach Parise. He’ll have to work on his game away from the puck to fit in as a Devil, though. — Tom Gulitti, Bergen Record