Tag: Connor Bedard

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bedard says he’s ready for his sophomore year with Blackhawks; Utah’s Guenther thrilled about 8 yr deal; plus more news

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Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard (88) skates against the New Jersey Devils on Jan 5, 2024 in Newark NJ. Bedard says he’s excited about his second year and looking forward to the 2024-25 season (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he more than ready for this upcoming season. Bedard says he’s rested, relaxed and ready to go. Bedard says he’s ready coming in, he said the excitement was there last season and he’s more relaxed this season.

#2 Dylan Guenther was signed to an eight year deal with the Utah Hockey Team. Financial teams were not disclosed. Guenther a 21 year forward is entering his third season of his three year entry level deal. Guenther said this was a happy day for he and his family. Guenther who played with the Arizona Coyotes last season had 17 goals, 18 assists and 35 points.

#3 It didn’t take long for the Chicago Blackhawks number two draft pick defenseman Artyom Levshunov is slated to be out with a foot injury for the next four weeks. That could change sooner than expected it was reported that Levshunov could be skating soon. Bedard said it was bad that the season started like this for him. The Hawks are anxious to get a look at Levshunov.

#4 New York Rangers Igor Shesterkin is starting the season in his fourth season. Shesterkin says he has one more year on his contract and he doesn’t care about that he’s hoping to work out a four year contract with the Rangers. Shesterkin said that he hopes to stay in New York but could become a free agent after this season.

#5 The Ottawa Senators and the National Capital Commission announced that they are close to completing a deal in principal with a ten acre parcel in the LeBraton Flats District in downtown Ottawa. The Senators had been playing 15 miles outside of downtown and will relocate downtown. The new arena would be just 1.24 miles from the Canadian Parliament building. Len location, location, location finally for the Senators who have been in Ottawa since 1997.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stars’ Seguin returns after lower body injury; Ovechkin hopes Leafs Matthews can score 70 goals; plus more news

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Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars had been out the last two weeks due to a lower body injury he returned to action on Wed Mar 20, 2024. (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Dallas Stars Tyler Seguin who was out for the last 11 games will return from a lower body injury on tonight against the Arizona Coyotes. Seguin has 21 goals and 46 points. The Stars are 42-19-9 third in the Western Conference.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews has 57 goals in 67 games, Matthews leads the NHL in goal and is on a pace to finish the regular season with 57 goals. Alexander Ovechkin said he hopes that Matthews can finish the season with 70 goals. Can he do it Len?

#3 Len, Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll returns to the ice tonight at the Capital One Center in Washington after suffering a high ankle strain. Woll has been out since for two weeks. Woll last played against the Bruins on Mar 4 and 7 against the Boston Bruins resulting in 4-1 losses.

#4 Winnipeg Jets head coach Rick Bowness will be away for a minor medical procedure and will return behind the bench when his condition improves. Assistant coach Scott Arniel will be acting head coach in Bownness’ absence. Arniel did not disclose what the issue but did say it was serious was but did say that the doctors have a handle on it and Bowness could return towards the end of the Jets current road trip.

#5 The Chicago Blackhawks named Connor Bedard the NHL second star of the week the second time he’s won the the award. Bedard this past week scored seven points tied with the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Nikita Kucherov. Bedard is having himself quite a rookie year.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sharks Fall 5-2 to Blackhawks, Devin Cooley Makes NHL Debut in Net

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The Chicago Blackhawks left winger Landon Slaggert (84) gets his shot stopped by the San Jose Sharks goaltender Devin Cooley (left) in the first period at the United Center in Chicago on Sun Mar 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 5-2 to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday. Philipp Kurashev, Ryan Donato, Kevin Korchinski, Joey Anderson and Connor Bedard scored for the Blackhawks. Petr Mrazek made 25 saves for the win. Ryan Carpenter and Klim Kostin scored for the Sharks. Devin Cooley, in his NHL debut, made 26 saves in the loss.

Of playing his first NHL game, Devin Cooley said: “The experience was obviously amazing, first game, that’s something I’ve been working towards my entire life. Really happy that happened. For it to happen for my hometown team that I grew up watching, that’s pretty special.”

Of the rookie goaltender’s performance, Sharks Head Coach David Quinn said: “I thought he played well. Made some big saves early I thought. I thought he played well and I feel bad that we weren’t able to bring it to the finish line for him ‘cause I thought he deserved it.”

Ryan Carpenter gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead at 10:33 of the first period. Carpenter and Alexander Barabanov skated into zone two-on-one. Carpenter passed the puck across but Mrazek followed it. Barabanov then passed the puck back to Carpenter with a bounce off of Mrazek’s pads, giving Carpenter an open net to shoot at. Assists went to Barabanov and Kevin Labanc.

Klim Kostin made it 2-0 at 16:32. Mikael Granlund had the puck behind the net. He passed it up to Kostin who was able to shoot it under the goaltender and a defenseman to score his fifth of the season. Assists went to Granlund and Mario Ferraro.

Philipp Kurashev cut the lead to 2-1 at 14:02 of the second period. Kurashev, Tyler Johnson and Connor Bedard skated into the zone three-on-two. Bedard passed the puck across the ice to Johnson, who centered it as Kurashev went to the net to score.

Ryan Donato tied the game at 10:39 of the third period. Donato scored his tenth of the season with a slap shot from just inside the faceoff circle. Assists went to Jarred Tinordi and Jaycob Megna.

Kevin Korchinski gave the Blackhawks the lead at 11:51 with a wrist shot from the blue line. An assist went to Lukas Reichel.

Joey Anderson made it 4-2 at 12:02. Anderson threw the puck into the blue paint with a backhand shot, it bounced off of Calen Addison’s skate and into the net. An assist went to Alex Vlasic.

Connor Bedard made it 6-2 with an empty net goal in the final second of the game. An assist went to P Kurashev.

The Sharks next play on Tuesday at 5:00 PT in Nashville against the Predators.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Stadium Series gets TV ratings boost from outdoor games; Canes Andersen is on the way back from blood clotting; plus more news

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TV ratings were up 21% at the Met Life East Rutherford in the NHL Navy Federal Credit Union Stadium Series on Sat Feb 17 with the Philadelphia Flyers vs. the New Jersey Devils and on Sun Feb 18 New York Rangers vs. New York Islanders (AP News photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the NHL Stadium Series with the Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils on Sat 17th and the New York Rangers and New York Islanders Sun 18th were big hits at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford. Both games combined for 150,000 fans and the TV rating were up 21% from last season’s Stadium Series. ABC TV had 1.37 million viewers and 449,000 in the 18-49 demographic.

#2 Len talk about the Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews he’s been unstoppable on Wednesday night he scored his 50th and 51st goals of the season in 54 games. Matthews also has 24 assists and a total of 75 points. San Ramon’s very own Matthews was born in your neck of the woods Contra Costa County.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard is a big fan of the Detroit Red Wings Patrick Kane for the first time this season. Bedard who will face Kane who has won the Stanley Cup three times and looks at it as a challenge and an honor to face one of the best former Blackhawks in history. Face off between the two teams at the United Center in Chicago is Sunday at 6:00pm ET/3:00pm PT.

#4 The Philadelphia Flyers after winning three straight games dropped their next two one to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the second to the New Jersey Devils. Flyers head coach John Tortorella was barking at his players during the Monday morning skate “not enough” and said he wanted “more from everybody” and it looked like it worked as the Flyers who took on the Blackhawks on Wednesday night and played a much tighter game and getting the win 3-1.

#5 The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Edmonton Oilers have expressed interest in a possible trade for the San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin and defenseman Mario Ferraro. Ferraro is in the third year of his four year $13 million contract and Kunin is under team control and would be a restricted free agent after this season. The Sharks would get a first rounder from either club.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Gauthier leaves Flyers, coach called him a cancer, fans sent him death threats; Blackhawks Bedard out 6-8 wks; plus more news

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Former Philadelphia Flyer Cutter Gauthier received death threats from Flyer fans and head coach John Tortorella said he was a cancer was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks for Jamie Drysdale and a second round draft pick on Wed Jan 10, 2024 (Getty image)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Two questions Len how surprised were you that Cutter Gauthier (goat-chee-a) wanted out of Philadelphia. Gauthier was reportedly was not happy in pre season camp. Gauthier is going to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for defenseman Jamie Drysdale and a second round pick. A source said that head coach John Tortorella and other team leaders felt he was a cancer in the dressing room. Cutter was soured on the team and there is not much surprise that he and Tortorella were not happy with each other. Tortolrella can have a salty personality and Gauthier was not happy with his style of coaching. Gauthier had also received death threats from fans according to one story.

#2 The Chicago Blackhawks took a big hit when they learned that their No.1 pick Connor Bedard will be out for six to eight weeks with a fractured jaw. Bedard was injured when he took a hit by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brandan Smith on Jan 5th Bedard skated into the offensive zone and was holding his mouth. Bedard was leading the Hawks and all NHL rookies with 33 points.

#3 The Boston Bruins lost their goaltender Linus Ullmark when he suffered a lower body injury at 2:40 of overtime in a 4-3 loss to the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arena in Tempe last Tuesday. Ullmark stretched out on a shot by the Coyotes forward Logan Cooley which went over the crossbar. It would appear that Ullmark suffered a pull. He had saved 32 shots before the injury. His back up Jeremy Swayman allowed a goal on the first shot he faced.

#4 The Flyers Jamie Drysdale didn’t waste anytime getting to work after joining the Flyers from Anaheim in the Gauthier exchange. Drysdale had an assist in setting up the tying goal and the Flyers went onto defeat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in a shootout. On the other hand the Habs goaltender Cayden Primeau stopped 37 shots.

#5 The Dallas Stars Nils Lundkvist scored a goal and an assist. The contest wasn’t even close on Wednesday night at the Stars took no prisoners in their 7-2 blasting of the Minnesota Wild. It was the Wild’s Jesper Wallstedt’s NHL debut at the American Airline Center in Dallas. Wallstedt faced 34 shots and allowed seven goals.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Senators sports wagering scandal forces Dorion out as GM; Wild’s Boldy back in line up for Thursday night; plus more NHL news

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Pierre Dorion was fired by the Ottawa Senators on Wed Nov 1, 2023 by owner Michael Andlauer (photo from NHL.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Ottawa Senators fired general manager Pierre Dorion. The firing came under new Senators owner Michael Andlauer who as owner within his first 30 days had a inherited a sports wagering scandal. Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games for sports wagering. The suspension started Oct 26th. The Senators also lose a first round draft pick and the trade for Evgeni Dadonov was invalidated. Steven Staios has been named as the new general manager.

#2 Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy is expected to get back in the line up for Thursday night against the New Jersey Devils. Boldy had been out with an upper body injury since Oct 14 on the second night of the regular season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Boldy said getting hurt in the second game of the year stinks.

#3 The Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart is out with an upper body injury. Hart sustained the injury against the Buffalo Sabers at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Wednesday. It was Hart’s eighth start in ten games.

#4 For the Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he’s getting used to the NHL life. Bedard so far has four goals and two assists and hoped to see a lot more action. Bedard said that he looks forward to an exciting NHL season.

#5 Len, the Carolina Hurricanes Paul Stastny is retiring from hockey after 17 years. Stastny has not filed any retirement papers but said in September he would be done after this season. Stastny came in as a second pick (44) in 2005 by the Colorado Avalanche. Stastny has 822 career points (293 goals and 529 assists).

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Matthews picks up hat trick and 100th career goal in Leafs win; Skjei scores game winner for Canes; plus more NHL news

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The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews (34) gets congratulated by his teammates in the third period. Matthews ended up scoring a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on Wed Oct 11, 2023 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs Austin Matthews scored a hat trick and had a quite a night and also scored his 300th career goal. Matthews got the tying goal and the Leafs later defeated the Montreal Canadiens in Toronto at Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday.

#2 Defenseman Brady Skjei scored a goal and got an assist for the Carolina Hurricanes to come back on the Ottawa Senators at PNC Arena in Carolina on Wednesday for a 5-3 win. The Hurricanes got a goal each from Jordan Staal, Michael Bunting, Teuvo Teravainen, and Jacob Slavin.

#3 The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard scored his first NHL goal in a loss to the Boston Bruins, The Bruins David Pastrnak scored two goals. It was the Bruins 100th season and they won their opener 3-1 at TD Waterhouse Garden in Boston.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights Brett Howden was suspended for putting a head check to the head of the Seattle Kraken’s Brandon Tenev at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas. Howden rather than go low or below the shoulder for the check hit Tenev helmet to helmet which turned Tenev’s head and the NHL ruled it an illegal check. As a consequence Howden has been suspended for tonight’s game in San Jose and the next game on Sat 14th in Anaheim.

#5 In what many oddsmakers predict the San Jose Sharks will have a worse season this season than last year. The Sharks struggled all last season and that was with the help of former defenseman Erik Karlsson who is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins. This year they have to depend on a handful of veterans, Marc- Edouard Vlasic, Nico Sturm, Logan Couture, Ryan Carpenter, and Thomas Hertl as they open tonight against the Vegas Golden Knights in San Jose.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Ducks Zegras is singed up and Game On ready; Ekholm and McLeod should be ready for Oilers regular season; plus more NHL news

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The Anaheim Ducks Travis Zegras is seen taking in the morning skate. Zegras missed two weeks of training camp and is back after signing a three year deal with the Ducks on Mon Sep 3, 2023 (photo from the Anaheim Ducks)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The Anaheim Ducks Travis Zegras says he’s got a little catching up to do as he missed the first two weeks of training camp. Zegras was without a contract which he signed and the Ducks came to an agreement on Monday. Zegras signed on for three years.

#2 Both the Edmonton Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm and forward Ryan McLeod are both out for the pre season. Ekholm is trying to recover from a hip flexor injury and McLeod has a soft tissue injury. Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft says he’s looking forward to having both players back for the regular season.

#3 The Carolina Hurricanes center Derek Stepan is retiring. Stepan 33, has played in the NHL for 13 seasons, for four teams, 890 games, and had 515 points. Stepan said after 13 seasons he’s looking forward to family and the next chapter in his life. Stepan played for  Rangers, Arizona Coyotes, Ottawa Senators and Hurricanes. 

#4 Len, it was a big deal last night as the Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard faced off against the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night. Bedard has two assists, one goal and three assists. He does look small on the ice.

#5 Ty Emberson is ready to skate for the San Jose Sharks. Sharks head coach David Quinn had Emberson play on Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights. Emberson was picked up on waivers from the New York Rangers. Quentin Musty played 15:10 and plus one and was a second round draft pick.

Join Len Shapiro for the San Jose Sharks podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Bedard anxious to get started for Blackhawks; Oilers McDavid says winning cup will complete his legacy; plus much more

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The Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard tunes up at training camp in this Sep 5, 2023 photo. Bedard is the biggest hyped NHL player to come up since the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid broke into the league. Fans and the media got a chance to look at Bedard and the Blackhawks on Thu Sep 28, 2023 when they faced off against the St Louis Blues (AP file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Chicago Blackhawks Connor Bedard says he can’t wait to get started for the Hawks. Bedard so far has played in a rookie prospect game, had one week of training camp and played in two scrimmage games. In the Western Hockey League last season Bedard lit up the lamp with 71 goals, 143 shots on goals, for 360 points.

#2 Can Bedard be that one player that can fulfill the need for the Blackhawks who dealt Patrick Kane to the New York Rangers and Jonathan Towes is out for this season and wants to come back next season at 35 years old.

#3 The Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid said winning the Stanley Cup would fulfill his legacy as one of the game’s greatest all time players saying “the greats have won and that’s what you have to do.” Can McDavid and the Oilers have a shot at doing it this season?

#4 The Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy will be out after having back surgery for ten weeks. Vasilevskiy’s surgery was successful to treat a lumbar disk herniation. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said there was no long term concern, that the surgery was a success and he looks forward to Vasilevskiy’s return.

#5 At practice on Thursday the Pittsburgh Penguins were getting a look at defenseman Erik Karlsson as Kris Letang was shifted to the left flank and said that after playing left flank after 17 seasons it’s going to take some getting used to. Karlsson meantime said he’s trying to get on the same page with his All Star caliber teammates Sid Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Richard Rakell.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Hawks Bedard can he live up to the hype; Leafs coach Keefe gets 2 more yrs; plus more news

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Connor Bedard takes a shot at the net in practice. Bedard and the Chicago Blackhawks will get to take a look at him when pre season starts during the last week in September (NHL.com photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Connor Bedard is all the rage and the Chicago Blackhawks are excited on seeing what he can do. Bedard is excited about getting in camp and getting on with the NHL pre season and is compared to being the best NHL prospect since Austin Matthews.

#2 The Toronto Maple Leafs extended head coach Sheldon Keefe two more seasons. Keefe will be under contract from 2025-26. Talk about some the things the Leafs like about Keefe to bring him back for two more seasons.

#3 The Vegas Golden Knights Phil Kessel said he is willing to give up his 1,064 consecutive games streak to help the Knights. Kessel is not guaranteed a contract for the 2023-24 season and said he would take a healthy scratch if it would help a team.

#4 Former San Jose Shark Joonas Donskoi announced his retirement at age 31. Donskoi didn’t play a game with the Seattle Kraken last season. Donskoi said that concussions have forced him into retirement. Donskoi played seven NHL seasons for San Jose, Colorado Avalanche and the Kraken.

#5 Former Minnesota North Star Brad Maxwell 66, passed away from lung cancer. Maxwell played 613 games and played in the NHL 1977-1987 the North Stars. Maxwell was an excellent golfer.

Join Len for the NHL podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com