For Whom The Bellows Tolls (evander kane buffalo sabres)

evander kane buffalo sabres

For Whom The Bellows Tolls

By GARTH'S CORNER

Jan 19, 2018 • 3:50 pm

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This is the first time the Americans have earned a medal in three straight World Junior Hockey Championships.

Kieffer Bellows scored two goals and added an assist. USA captain Joey Anderson had a goal and an assist. Ryan Poehling and Patrick Harper also scored.

Buffalo Sabres stud Casey Mittelstadt recorded an assist. He led the #WJCInBUF scoring title with 4 goals and 7 assists.

Bellows, the son of former NHL scoring star Brian Bellows, leads the World Juniors in goals with nine. Bellows set a new USA single-tournament record with 9 goals, breaking Jeremy Roenick’s record of 8, which he achieved in Anchorage, Alaska in 1989. The all-time World Junior tourney goal scoring record belongs to Sweden's Markus Naslund (13 goals, 1993).

Roenick couldn't resist the temptation to tweet his congratulations at Kiefer Bellows.

Team USA won bronze in 2016 and gold in 2017.

The stated goal for team USA in 2018 was to win gold. When they lost to Sweden in the semifinals on Thursday in Buffalo, the goal became "win bronze".

It's the sixth American bronze medal of all time. The previous ones were 1986, 1992, 2007, 2011, and 2016. Year after year, USA Hockey remains a rising force.

"These medals are very hard to get in this tournament," USA head coach Bob Motzko told the IIHF after the blowout win over the Czechs.

"USA Hockey's in a great spot. They really are."

USA goalie Jake Oettinger replaced Joe Woll in the USA net for the first time since the 4-3 outdoor shootout win over Canada.

The biggest blowout in bronze-medal history remains Sweden's 11-4 win over Switzerland in Saskatoon in 2010.

"This win was huge," said Bellows. "It sets the stage for next year, for those guys who are returning. It shows how hard this tournament can be. There are so many elite players around the world, and elite teams. It's a huge honor to get a bronze medal. It's not the one we wanted but it's great for USA Hockey."

Buffalo Sabres 2017 first round draft choice Casey Mittelstadt was voted WJC MVP by the media. Mittlestadt is the first U.S.-born MVP since 2013 (John Gibson). Mittelstadt is the first American skater and first NCAA hockey player to win WJC MVP MVP since Zach Parise (North Dakota) won the prestigious award in 2004.

***

Congratulations, Team Canada on winning the World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal.

It was a tension packed 1-1 game late into the third period when role player Tyler Steenbergen scored the historic gold medal winning goal for Canada in the 3-1 victory.

Steengeren had played just 3:17 through two periods, had but four shots in the entire tournament, and had yet to score. Steenbergen will never buy a nother beer in Canada ever again in his lifetime.

🚨🚨🚨 GWG 🚨🚨🚨

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It's Canada's second World Juniors gold medal in the past nine years. It's Canada's first gold medal since 2015.

Seven players from the 2017 Team Canada WJC squad won gold medals: Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Jake Bean, Kale Clague, Dante Fabbro, Michael McLeod, and Taylor Raddysh.

Canada entered teh game with a red hot power play that had converted 58% of it's vhances in the tournament. Canada went 0-for-6 on the power play, a credit to the Sweden PK.

Sweden got their only goal on while shorthanded.

Sweden entered the game with a hot power play, however, it was given only one man advantage opportunity while Canada was awarded six power play opportunities. I'm not blaming the refs, however, Canada, I'm baffled by the disparity in the number of power play opps given to Canada.

Canada's only penalty occurred in the first nine minutes of the game.

🥇🙌🎉

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After the game, an emotional Lias Andersson threw his silver medal into the crowd. The Swedish captain showed poor leadership and terrible sportsmanship by disrespecting the silver medal that he and his teammates earned.

Team Sweden officials intercepted Andersson before he did something stupid with the trophy he was presented with in the postgame ceremony.

The fan in the "America" sweater who caught Andersson's silver medal pitch gave the kid his silver medal back. Did you know dude was wearing THREE hockey jerseys?

Be cool, Lias. I understand your passion. You are young. The moment got the better of you. Learn from it.

**

It's January 5. It's the first weekend of the new year. Several NHL teams are still in hot pursuit of more even strength goal scoring and power play point production.

It's also gold medal day at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships in Buffalo.

While attending the World Juniors tourney since Boxing Day, I have witnessed first hand a large, constellation of shimmering future NHL stars. I love everything about this tournament. I'm so impressed with a handful of 2018 NHL Draft eligible players in Rasmus Dahlin (Sweden), Brady Tkachuk (USA), and Filip Zadina (Czech).

Evander Kane, Mike Hoffman, and Max Pacioretty remain in the epicenter of NHl trade rumors. The trios names will continue to trend on hockey Twitter up until 4pm EDT on NHL Trade Deadline Day on February 26.

Kane is a $5.25M salary cap hit this season. Sabres GM Jason Botterill doesn't have to maneuver around a no trade agreement because Kane doesn't have one.

Since December 3, 2016, Evander Kane has scored 44 goals and 34 assists in his past 110 games played. Kane now has 36 even-strength goals since 12/3/16.

Paciorety is $4.5M for this season and next.

Hoffman has a modified no-trade clause. He can veto a trade to 10 teams. Hoffman's cap hit is $5.1875 million for this season and then two more years.

Kane continues to hold the pole position for most sought after NHL forwards. On Thursday night, Kane scored his 16th goal of the season in garbage time of Minnesota's 6-2 win over the Sabres in the Twin Cities. Garbage time or not, Kane scored yet another even strength goal. Of Kane's 16 goals and 19 assists in 40 games played in this, his contract season, the Vancouver native has scored only 10 power play points this season. Kane has 22 even strength points. Kane has scored 11 goals (and 11 5v5 assists) at 5v5, 2 PP, and 3 SHG.

Kane and the Sabres are in Winnipeg tonight. There will be Bronx Cheers o'plenty for Kane from the Jets faithful. Kane will be booed every time he touches the puck, which is often. Kane will shrug it off and continue to attack his former teammates in their barn. The Jets will be in Buffalo on Tuesday night. Kane wil no doubt want to put on a show for his Winnipeg fans.

Kane will also want to put on a show for the NHl scouts who continue to travel to see Kane and the Sabres play live in person.

Make no mistake about it. Several NHL teams have been in hot pursuit of the snioing, five-tool power forward.

There are several NHL teams that have been beseiged by recent injuries to top six forwards. There are other teams who need to acquire more even strength goal scoring before they fall out of the Stanley Cup playoff race.

Which teams are big game hunting for a scoring power forward?

Pittsburgh Penguins- The Pens are in 31st place in the NHL with just 56 goals at 5v5. The walls are closing in on Mike Sullivan's team. With 43 points in 42 games, the Pens are out of the playoff race with no answers in sight to their even strength scoring issues. Penguins GM Jim Rutherford is ready to make a deal. His team is 4-6 and is wildly inconsistent in its past 10 games played. Rutherford has only $357,000 in salary cap space to work with. In order to facilitate a trade for a scorer like Kane, he will have to part with a top six scorer in Conor Sheary, a top propsect in Daniel Sprong and a first round draft choice.

Vancouver Canucks- Jim Benning's team is mired in a 2-7-1 slump. Long term injuries to Bo Horvat and Sven Baertschi coupled with poor goaltending has pushed the Canucks to 14th place in the Western standings, 10 points out of a playoff spot. Is Jim Benning's team a playoff contender or a pretender? Rookie Brock Boeser can't carry the offense all by himself. Boeser has 21 goals and 17 assist in his 37 games played. Pending UFA Thomas Vanek has 12 goals and 16 assist in 40 games played. Horvat had 10 goals at the time of his injury. On Friday, the Canucks announced Horvat may take longer than expected to make it back to the lineup than originally anticipated. While he was initially supposed to miss four-to-six weeks after breaking his foot on December 5th, the Canucks are now expected to be without their top pivot until after the All-Star break which falls three weeks from now. The Sedins have only 10 goals combined. Benning needs to shake up his group. Tarding for Kane won't come easy. If I'm Jason Botterill of the Sabres, I'm asking for Canucks prospect Elias Pettersson who has five goals and two assists for Team Sweden heading into their gold medal game at the World Juniors in Buffalo. The Canuack also have Finn defenseman Olli Juolevi to offer in a trade package for a top scoring forward.

San Jose Sharks- Pete DeBoer's team finds itself in 30th place in the NHL with 57 5v5 goals. The Sharks, Wild and Ducks are all tied for the final Western Conference playoff spot with 47 points in 38 games played. Sharks GM Doug Wilson continues to scout Buffalo and Montreal. The price will be high for Kane. It may cost Wilson left winger Logan Couture, prospevct Danny O'Regan, and a first round draft choice.

St. Louis Blues- GM Doug Armstrong signe d new contract extension last week. His team finds itself in second place in teh Western standings with 54 points. The Blues have won three staright games and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. The Blues are built to win it all this season. The long term injury to winger Jaden Schwartz has put a dent in goal scoring and offensive production. Schwartz should be healthy in the next month. Armstrong wants to infuse another veteran top six goal scorer. Kane and Pacioretty fit that bill to a tee. Armstrong was in Buffalo last week watching his top prospects at the WJCs. If Armstrong wants Kane, it will likely cost him a top prospect in Jordan Kyrou, Klim Kostin or Robert Thomas, plus a first round draft choice.

Anaheim Ducks- Randy Carlyle's Ducks are a resilient bunch. They are deadlocked at 47 points with the Wild and Sharks for the eighth and final Western playoff spot. The Ducks weathered the storm of serious injuries to Ryan Kesler, Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, and other key contributors. Bob Murray has been fascinated by Evander Kane a few different times in the past two seasons. Murray has two top prospects power forwards playing at the WJCs in Buffalo in Max Steel (Team Canada) and Max Jones (USA).

NY Rangers- It was announced Friday morning that Rangers power forward Chris Kreider has undergone surgery to have his rib resected. Following the surgery, he will remain sidelined indefinitely. Kreider was shut down last week after he was diagnsed with a blood clot. The Rangers find themselves in seventh place in the Eastern standings just one point ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. The Metroploitan Division is a topsy turvy lot of teams. The Rangers are not guaranteed a playoff spot. Trading for Kane or Pacioretty is an insurance policy. Wjat will it cost to acquire Kane? Lias Andresson (Sweden) has been killing it at the WJCs in Buffalo. So has propect Filip Chytil (Czech). One of these first rounders and a first round pick could tip the scales in NYR's favor in a trade for Kane.

New Jersey Devils- The Devils are one of the great stories in the NHL this season. Like the phoenix, the Devils have risen from the flames of mediocrity. GM Ray Shero is a shrewd dude and loves the stealth blockbuster trade *See: Taylor Hall for Adam Larsson*. Shero has been looking to add a veteran top six scorer. He has left winger Miles Wood (10 goals this season) and a first orunder to use to get himself into the Kane sweepstakes. Mike McLeod, a first round draft choice, is also an intriguing power forward prospect who is currently playing for Canada at the WJCs.

NY Islanders- On Thursday night, Isles bench boss Doug Weight called out his team for being "frail" and scared" after a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. Weight is pissed off. His team has lost four straight games and is 3-6-1 in its last 10. Like the Rangers and Hurricanes, the Isles are at risk of missing the playoffs. They enter Friday night action in ninth place in the East. Isles GM Garth Snow has an abundance of young forwards who are carrying the scoring on his team led by John Tavares, Mat Barzal and Josh Bailey. If he wants to add a sniper like Evander Kane, Snow will likely have to part with Team USA goal scorer Kiefer Bellows, whose nine goals at the WJCs turney broke the record previously set by Jeremy Roenick. Would Snow trade Bellows and a first rounder to Buffalo for Kane?

Carolina Hurricanes- GM Ron Francis has been in Buffalo for the WJCs for the past week. He's hear tracking draft eligible players for 2018. Francis is also watching his prospects defenseman Jake Bean (Canada) and forward Martin Necas (Czech). Like many NHL GMs, Francis was a player in the Matt Duchene soap opera. "Ronnie Franchise" is still searching for a top six scoring forward. Francis has assets to deal to Buffalo for Kane in the form of defenseman Noah Hanifin and Bean or Necas.

Calgary Flames- Glen Gulutzan's team is in 12th place in the Western standings. With 71 even strength goals for, the Flames rank 23rd in teh NHL with 5v5 scoring. Flames GM Brad Treliving knows he needs to make a trade to import more even strength and PPscoring. Ebamder Kane won't be cheap. It will likely cost Treliving a first rounder, a roster D, and Finnish D prospect Juuso Valimaki, who had himself an excellent WJC tourney in Buffalo. Or, Flames prospect Adam Fox, the Team USA defender who was superb at the World Juniors.

Tampa Lightning- Steve Yzerman's team is ready for prine time. His Bolts are built for a deep run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Do they have enough goal scoring?

Nashville Predators- The Preds have been there and done that. They wany to finish what they started last season. The Preds are a Stanley Cup contender. They have roster players, prospects and picks that they can parlay to make a trade for Evander Kane.

Vegas Golden Knights- GM George McPhee has flipped the script. He will not be holding a fire sale and dumping his veterans James Neal, Cody Eakin, Jonathon Marcesshault nor William Karlsson at the trade deadline. Nope. GMGM will be adding a top six forward and some defensive depth as his team is c urrenty the number one seed in the West. McPhee has Swdish defensive stud Erik Brannstrom, roster D and a first rounder to use to attract Evander Kane to The Strip.

**

The Calgary Flames have won two stratight game, including their 4-3 win over the LA Kings on Thursady night. The Flames are 4-4-2 in their last 10 games.

Flames bench boss Glen Gulutzan isn't happy with his team's performances of late.

For some unknown reason, Gulutzan lost it at team practice on Friday.

The pressure of the tightly compacted Western Conference standings is definitely making Gulutzan hot under the collar.

With 44 points in 40 games played, the Calgary Flames currently are tied with the Chicago Blackhawks for 11th place in the Western standings. The Flames head into Friday night's action three points behind the Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks who all have 47 points apiece. The Colorado Avalanche have 45 points.

Gulutzan and his coaches know they are a three games losing streak away from being knocked out of playoff contention.

This is not the time to panic, however, Gulutzan has high concern. To say nothing of high blood pressure. Dude should mix in a large cup of decaf.

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