Sport-scan daily brief

10. Dallas Stars - C Elias Lindholm

They are in need of center depth in the organization, and while Lindholm is seen as a wing/center, the Stars would likely put him on a development path that would hone his play-making skills to the center position. It also shouldn't be lost that new Stars GM Jim Nill was part of a Detroit organization that has had a lot of success in Sweden, and probably has a pretty good take on Lindholm's game and how he can help the Stars. — Mike Heika, Dallas Morning News

11. Philadelphia Flyers - D Rasmus Ristolainen

The team says it will take the best available player, but defense is such an “organizational weakness” as GM Paul Holmgren said in April that they might be forced to take a blueliner and develop him. Before Flyers fans freak out at Ristolainen’s scouting report, which says he needs some work on defensive positioning, they’ll be happy to know he plays a physical game and can push opponents out of his own crease. That’s something the Flyers haven’t had in a while. Ristolainen also is an offensive force and has experience on the power play. — Dave Isaac, Courier-Post

12. Phoenix Coyotes - RW Anthony Mantha

The Coyotes lack pure goal scorers, and they could use Mantha’s skill. A centerman might top their wish list, but Mantha’s 50-goal performance this past season in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League isn’t a bad alternative. — Sarah McLellan, Arizona Republic

13. Winnipeg Jets - C Max Domi

Forget that he is the son of former Jet enforcer Tie Domi. The offspring has the offensive skillset and hockey sense the franchise desperately needs. — Ed Tait, Winnipeg Free Press

14. Columbus Blue Jackets - D Samuel Morin

The biggest need in Columbus is scoring punch, but that won't be solved with No. 14 pick. If they keep this pick - a gi-normous IF - how can you pass on 6-7, 200 pound defenseman Samuel Morin? He's way ahead of Chara at this stage in his career. — Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch

15. New York Islanders - C Bo Horvat

The Islanders are always on the lookout for smart, playmaking centers, and the fact that Horvat plays for Dale Hunter (who coached John Tavares one season) doesn't hurt either. — Arthur Staple, New York Newsday

16. Buffalo Sabres (from Minnesota) - C Alexander Wennberg

If the Sabres can get a defenseman early, they might take a forward, especially a center, with the 16th pick. They haven't shied away from choosing big European forwards in the first round recently, having picked Joel Armia in 2011 and Mikhail Grigorenko and Zemgus Girgensons in 2012. — Bill Hoppe, Olean Times Herald

17. Ottawa Senators - LW Kerby Rychel

The Senators need a power forward that can compete. By all accounts, he is a smart player who isn't afraid to get his nose dirty. This club can always use character players. — Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Sun

18. Detroit Red Wings - RW Adam Erne

The Wings' top priority with their highest pick since 1991 is to get a good-sized forward with skill. Erne can skate and is capable of playing a physical game. — Ansar Khan, MLive Media Group

19. Columbus Blue Jackets (from New York Rangers) - C Curtis Lazar

Lazar is a competitive, hardworking forward who sets the tone every night. Can't have enough of those guys. — Aaron Portzline, Columbus Dispatch

20. San Jose Sharks - C Frederik Gauthier

Other than last year's first round pick, Tomas Hertl, the Sharks are devoid of top-end offensive prospects. Frederik Gauthier fits the mold of what they are looking for - a big, two-way center that has the ability to win faceoffs. — Kevin Kurz, CSN Bay Area

21. Toronto Maple Leafs - D Ryan Pulock

Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis insists he'll take the best available player, even if it's another defenceman. Pulock fits the bill. — Stephen Whyno, Canadian Press

22. Calgary Flames (from St. Louis) - D Josh Morrissey

Poised blue-liner from the WHL Prince Albert Riaders. Smart and a future power-play quarterback in the NHL. — Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald

* Due to time constraints, we weren’t able to get through the completion of the first round. Instead, I made the remainder of the picks.

23. Washington Capitals - D Shea Theodore

Over the years, Mike Green has become a leader for the Capitals and Theodore looks like he’s cut from a similar mold. He was eighth among defensemen in the WHL in scoring this year and played a big role in Team Canada’s World Junior Championship team. Like Green, Theodore is a power play quarterback. The Caps would love to have a player like this in their system.

24. Vancouver Canucks - RW Zach Nastasiuk

The Sedin twins are 32 and won’t last forever. Vancouver will need scoring in the years to come and Nastasiuk can help fill that need. He had 20 goals and 20 assists in 62 regular-season games for the OHL’s Owen Sound Attack. He can find the front of the net and provides a good two-way game.

25. Montreal Canadiens - D Mirco Mueller

In Montreal, there are six defensemen older than 25 on the roster. It’s time to replenish the blueline. Mueller is touted as a puck-moving defenseman who is good in his own end as well. He is said to be good on the penalty kill and in shot blocking.

26. Anaheim Ducks - G Zachary Fucale

With Viktor Fasth only signed through 2015 and Jonas Hiller an unrestricted free agent after next season, the Ducks need a future goalie and Fucale is the cream of the crop between the pipes in this year’s draft. Scouts say he has great positioning and is hard to get rattled.

27. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Los Angeles) - LW Valentin Zykov

The leading scorer among rookies in the QMJHL this season, Zykov could help Columbus, a team that was among the league worst in scoring last season.

28. Calgary Flames (from Pittsburgh) - D Robert Hagg

In a system that has a crop of mediocre defensemen, Hagg can provide a little help everywhere. He’s good on the power play. He can play physical and hold his own in front of his goalie.

29. Dallas Stars (From Boston) - RW Ryan Hartman

One thing the Stars could use is a little help up front. Even though he comes in a small frame at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Hartman showed in the World Junior Championship that he can find the back of the net and pack a punch in the physicality department.

30. Chicago Blackhawks - D Ian McCoshen

Last time the Blackhawks won the Cup, they lost a few defensemen. McCoshen is the kind of player Chicago will want to have in its system in case that happens again. He has a solid shot from the blueline, but needs to find a better way to use his 6-foot-3, 207-pound frame.

Courier-Post LOADED: 06.30.2013

683067 Philadelphia Flyers

NHL draft has come a long way

Jun. 29, 2013 11:35 PM |

Written by

Randy Miller

NEWARK — Seth Jones and other top prospects in today’s NHL Entry Draft took in the New York City skyline Saturday from atop the Empire State Building.

Today, they’ll wait for their name to be called in front of a packed house at Prudential Center and television audiences across the United States, Canada and Europe, then after getting drafted they’ll head to a big stage to throw on their new team’s jersey for the first time.

Boy, have times changed.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren shared just how much the other day when he was asked if he had any special memories from when the Flyers took him in the sixth round of the 1975 draft.

“I had no idea I got drafted,” Holmgren said. “I think somebody called me a couple of weeks later.”

Weeks?

Those were the days before drafts were televised ... before hardcore fans scoured internet sites for the NHL’s Central Scouting and International Scouting Service latest player rankings ... before the invention of the draft lottery ... before NHL.com, TSN’s Bob McKenzie and bunch of others (including the Courier-Post’s Dave Isaac) conducted mock drafts, some of them adding new ones every few weeks leading up to what has become a big, big day for hockey.

The draft started getting big in 1980 when it became a public event for the first time by being held in front of fans at the old Montreal Forum, and by 1985 it was moving to different cities. Next year, it’ll come to Philadelphia for the first time.

In recent years, the draft has been done over a weekend — the first round on Day 1, the rest on Day 2 — but this year’s will play out from start to finish today due to the NHL lockout shortening the offseason, which began late last Tuesday night with the Chicago Blackhawks winning the Stanley Cup.

Colorado will start things off at 3 p.m. drafting first overall, then all 30 teams will keep picking for 7-8 hours.

Saturday, Flyers management and several other teams reportedly met with Vincent Lecavalier, an unrestricted free agent as of last Thursday because the Tampa Bay Lightning bought out the four-time All-Star center's contract. This development is interesting because Holmgren previously had said Flyers personnel wouldn't show up for the draft until Sunday and that the organization would not be in on Lecavalier, a 33-year-old who had 10 goals and 32 points in 39 games last season.

Meantime, reports circulated that the Flyers were in talks with the Edmonton Oilers about trading a second-round draft pick for defenseman Braydon Coburn, who has a three years remaining on a contract that carries a $4.5 million cap hit.

Buyouts have added a new wrinkle into what teams may or may not do this weekend because the poll of unrestricted free agents is growing with the signing period beginning next Friday. The Flyers added to that list in the last two weeks by buying out center Danny Briere and Ilya Bryzgalov, moves that have them $4.18 million under next season's $64.3 million cap.

Courier-Post LOADED: 06.30.2013

683068 Phoenix Coyotes

Even with a new lease deal, there will be no closure for Phoenix Coyotes fans with this mess

By Dan Bickley, columnist azcentral sports Sat Jun 29, 2013 10:38 PM

The Coyotes are a business, and a bad one at that.

But hockey is an idea. This is why it matters to me.

It’s the last bastion of nobility in sports. The Stanley Cup is treated like the Holy Grail. It’s a profession where the sincerity is surpassed only by the sacrifice.

It’s a place where players sprawl on sheets of ice to block shots with their bodies. After all, if there is no cause, then what shall we die for?

On Tuesday, the Glendale City Council likely will determine the fate of our hockey team. Will the Coyotes relocate to Seattle, demoting the Valley back to the minor leagues? Or will four votes align when the witching hour arrives?

Either way, there will be no closure. That’s just a myth.

If a lease agreement is consummated with the Renaissance Sports and Entertainment group, there will be an out clause after five years. And it’s not like there’s a line of people outside the door yearning to buy tickets, waiting for the moment this team secures some kind of short-term future in Glendale.

By all accounts, the Coyotes will remain a small-budget team. They might lose their best goaltender, Mike Smith, to free agency. They will win games with Dave Tippett’s system and Don Maloney’s keen eye for bargains.

We’ve seen the recipe, and the result: hard-working, well-prepared, dangerous teams that constantly are skating on the fringe of the playoffs.

But they will not become a juggernaut anytime soon. They will not begin filling up Jobing.com Arena, especially with surcharges on ticket and parking fees in the future.

They will need another playoff run to rekindle the lost momentum, and that might take some time.

Will it happen within five years? If not, we could be facing relocation threats all over again. Only this time, the decision will be out of our hands.

RSE’s Anthony LeBlanc has sworn his allegiance to the Valley on more than one occasion. But there are important people very close to the situation who aren’t totally convinced. That’s frightening.

Conversely, if the Coyotes leave, it doesn’t mean forever. It will only sound like it.

There will be a probation period, for sure, a time for the NHL to frown down upon us like we’re some kind of failed partner. That will be the penalty for embarrassing the league and the commissioner.

But we’re still a destination city, a large market projected to grow even bigger in the very near future. We’re filled with television viewers and winter visitors clamoring for live hockey. Somewhere down the line, if someone figures out how to build an arena in Scottsdale, the NHL will undoubtedly return.

Just not on Gary Bettman’s watch.

Sadly, the Coyotes have been a mess for most of their existence: obstructed views in Phoenix, the regrettable failure of Steve Ellman and the City of Scottsdale to make Los Arcos a reality; the Wayne Gretzky era, when the NHL’s most iconic player sucked millions of dollars from the franchise.

And truth is, this team began to die the moment it moved to Glendale.

Can it be resuscitated? Can the math and location ever work? Yes, but probably not within five years. And whether we’re talking about moving vans or champagne corks, a terrible price has been paid along the way.

During the recent collective-bargaining sessions, Coyotes captain Shane Doan urged NHL owners to pledge 10 percent of every revenue-sharing check to the growth of youth hockey. They declined. In Arizona, Doan says the problem is even worse, where the year-to-year existence of this franchise means little manpower or money available for the community, grass-roots kind of stuff.

Alas, for the past four years, we’ve all been saddled with the sorry business of the Coyotes, and not the idea of hockey.

It’s a sport that teaches humility and scorns vanity. In the playoffs, you can age 17 years in 17 seconds, just like they did in Boston. It’s a sport where you can fight like men, but only if you shake hands when you’re done.

There will probably be no such gestures from the losing side on Tuesday.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.30.2013

683069 Phoenix Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes will target forwards in Sunday’s NHL draft

By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Sat Jun 29, 2013 9:49 PM

The NHL draft is designed to build for the future, but it’s also become a playground for making changes to existing rosters.

With all 30 general managers assembled in one room, a shrinking salary cap and, therefore, rising value in draft picks, trade activity could dominate this year’s festivities in New Jersey, which start Sunday at noon.

Because of the lockout, the draft has been reduced to one day instead of the usual two.

“I think there will be a fair amount of movement,” Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney said. “Everybody’s looking to try and change their rosters up. We have a short period of time to do it, and history shows this is the time now before free agency starts, that’s when the deals are made. So I do think there’s going to be a lot of trades.”

On Day 1 of the 2012 draft, the Coyotes reacquired defenseman Zbynek Michalek, almost overshadowing their first-round pick of Scottsdale native Henrik Samuelsson. They could make another trade Sunday as Maloney has been engaged in talks for swapping a defenseman for a forward.

The Coyotes could also choose to move their 12th overall selection, their first of seven picks. They will also select 42nd, 62nd, 73rd, 133rd, 163rd and 193rd.

“There’s a better chance of us moving down and taking a later pick than going the other way,” Maloney said. “We can’t get high enough to make it worth the asset cost. I don’t see it.”

The Coyotes won’t trade that pick for a current roster player because they do want a relatively high prospect from what’s being characterized as an extremely deep draft.

“We’re looking 22 players deep thinking, ‘We like a player sitting on our draft board at 20, 21. You know what? If the right deal came along, we could drop,’ ” Maloney said. “That would be fine. We’d deal with it.”

Defenseman Seth Jones had been labeled the consensus top pick, but in the weeks leading up to the draft, the Colorado Avalanche have made it well-known they are not interested in taking Jones with the first pick.

That could be a bluff, but if it’s not, the honor will likely go to center Nathan MacKinnon. He and Jones have been ranked No. 1 by different scouting agencies.

Left wing Jonathan Drouin and center Aleksander Barkov are considered the next-best prospects.

After those four, though, it’s anybody’s guess what the pecking order will be. The Coyotes are targeting skilled forwards.

If right wing Anthony Mantha is still available at No. 12, he’d be a solid grab. Mantha was the only player in this draft class to score 50 goals this past season. He’s currently in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, a training ground that’s bred other noteworthy players in the organization (defensemen Keith Yandle and Brandon Gormley).

Centers are arguably the toughest to acquire via trade or free agency, so it might be wise to stock up at this draft.

Frederik Gauthier plays a 200-foot game that would please coach Dave Tippett. Max Domi has the offensive instincts to be a game changer. Bo Horvat is physical and a faceoff specialist. All are ranked in the top 20 by NHL Central Scouting and projected to be among the top 15 selections.

But if a star defenseman falls out of the top 11, such as Darnell Nurse or perhaps Rasmus Ristolainen, the Coyotes will gladly scoop him up.

“We’re not going to pass up what we would think is a top-four defenseman for a third-line forward, even though we need forwards,” Maloney said.

Either way, the moves the Coyotes make at the draft could dictate the direction for the rest of the off-season. They’ll have another opportunity for an upgrade Friday when free agency opens.

“It’ll be interesting to see what changes we’ll be able to do,” Maloney said. “Time will tell.”

Arizona Republic LOADED: 06.30.2013

683070 Pittsburgh Penguins

2 years after being drafted, local hockey players making name for themselves

By Josh Yohe

Updated 6 hours ago

That historical weekend in Minnesota during which four Pittsburghers were selected among the first 64 players picked in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft was just the beginning.

Two years later, all are ahead of schedule.

“It's pretty incredible that we all went that high and that things have turned out the way they have,” Chicago Blackhawks left wing Brandon Saad said.

They could be on their way to stardom.

Saad currently is the headliner. He will be fitted for a Stanley Cup ring this summer. He finished third in Calder Trophy voting for Rookie of the Year and Saturday joined Florida's Jonathan Huberdeau and Montreal's Brendan Gallagher as forwards on the NHL's all-rookie team.

Saad finished with 10 goals and 27 points in his rookie campaign and has become a fixture on a team that figures to contend for many more Stanley Cups.

“That was so awesome for him,” goaltender John Gibson said.

He isn't the only of the Pittsburgh Four to appear to be on the verge of big things.

Gibson likely will begin working his way through the Anaheim system this fall. In the past six months, he twice has starred on the international stage for Team USA: He was the backbone of the World Junior championship claimed in January, and he performed admirably against numerous NHL stars while claiming a bronze medal in May's World Championships.

“You always want to get to the NHL as fast as you can, but I try not to think about it that way,” Gibson said. “You just try to take it day by day. And, yeah, playing in the Worlds, especially beating Russia, was big. Getting to play against guys like (Alex) Ovechkin was great for me.”

Center Vince Trocheck also could find himself in the NHL during the 2013-14 season. The Florida Panthers opted to leave Trocheck in the Ontario Hockey League this past season, and he responded by claiming the scoring title and league MVP.

The Panthers have made it clear that they are fond of the third-round selection and believe there will be a place for him in the NHL.

“I'm happy with the year I had,” Trocheck said. “I'm really excited about the future.”

J.T. Miller, the first of the four to be drafted, made his debut with the Rangers and could be on his way to a strong career. He scored two goals in his second NHL game and showed flashes of someone who could become notable for his goal scoring and physical play.

A few months before the Rangers dismissed John Tortorella, the fiery coach was asked about Miller by reporters at Consol Energy Center.

Tortorella isn't one to freely dish compliments, but he praised Miller.

“He's an interesting one,” Tortorella said. “He's got a chance to be really good.”

Tortorella could have been speaking about any of the four who altered Pittsburgh youth hockey.

All could be in the NHL as soon as next season.

“We're all friends, and we all keep in touch,” Gibson said. “We're all really proud to have come from Pittsburgh and proud of what we've done so far.”

Gibson hopes this is only the beginning, not only for his fellow members of the 2011 draft but also for youth hockey in Western Pennsylvania.

“Hopefully,” he said, “the kids coming behind us keep this going.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 06.30.2013

683071 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins’ Shero gives Letang talks one more shot

By Rob Rossi

Updated 5 hours ago

NEWARK, N.J. — Ray Shero is waiting on Kris Letang.

He may not wait much longer.

A scheduled face-to-face meeting for Saturday afternoon between Shero and Kent Hughes, Letang's agent, was viewed by both parties as the last good chance to bridge a financial gap on a possible long-term contract.

Letang, a defenseman set to enter the final year of his contract, will be prime trade bait at the NHL Entry Draft on Sunday.

“He's worth waiting on in terms of making the right decisions, knowing all the information,” Shero said Saturday before meeting with Hughes. “But there's a time to make a deal, to sign a player, or maybe it's apparent that you can't, or maybe it's better to wait or do something else.”

Shero said before meeting with Hughes that he already had received calls about Letang's availability. Montreal, San Jose and Philadelphia are interested, and the Penguins would prefer to deal with a club that can return a top prospect and at least two roster players who they would control for multiple seasons.

The Penguins also would not mind a draft pick as part of a package. They do not select until the third round because of in-season trades for winger Jarome Iginla and defenseman Douglas Murray.

Shero reiterated that he would like to keep Letang and acknowledged that Letang is due a big raise on his $3.5 million salary. Letang, 26, led the NHL in points-per-game by a defenseman this past season and was a Norris Trophy (top defenseman) nominee for the first time.

Negotiations between Shero and Hughes have not gone swimmingly, and Letang has expressed frustration as this past week advanced without significant movement on a deal.

Shero stressed he wanted emotion to play no factor. “That's not beneficial to anybody,” he said.

The Penguins remain uncomfortable with a counterproposal to their willingness to pay Letang about $7 million annually on a maximum-limit eight-year contract. Shero made that offer Wednesday. Hughes countered Thursday with a proposed $7.75 million annual salary on an eight-year deal, but Shero immediately dismissed the deal.