Latest Stanley Cup Final news, Isles re-sign Cizikas, Habs bring back Muller & much more in this morning’s collection of NHL headlines.
THE MERCURY NEWS: San Jose Sharks coach Peter DeBoer could stick with the line changes he made in the third period of Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final for Game 3 on Saturday. He “dropped Patrick Marleau from the second line to the third and moved Joel Ward into Marleau’s usual spot, alongside Logan Couture and Joonas Donskoi.” Couture and Ward assisted on Justin Braun’s game-tying goal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBoer has to try something, as his once-mighty Sharks attack has been blunted by the Penguins speed and tenacious backchecking. His moves in Game 2 gave his club a spark in the third period and led to the game-tying goal.
TRIBLIVE.COM: American-born Phil Kessel, Nick Bonino, Conor Sheary and Bryan Rust are significant reasons why the Pittsburgh Penguins hold a 2-0 series lead over the San Jose Sharks in the 2016 Stanley Cup Final. They’ve scored all five of the Penguins goals in the series thus far.
NEWSDAY: The New York Islanders re-signed checking-line forward Casey Cizikas to a five-year, $16.75 million contract ($3.35 million annual salary-cap hit). He’s a key part of their penalty-killing unit. The signing is also seen as an indication the Isles aren’t re-signing pending UFA forwards Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen and Matt Martin. If so, Cizikas will be taking on more responsibilities.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens have brought back former St. Louis Blues assistant coach Kirk Muller as an assistant bench boss.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a good move by the Habs, as Muller was quite effective in his previous five seasons behind their bench in an assistant role. Some are seeing him as a possible replacement for head coach Michel Therrien, but former Habs coach Guy Carbonneau doesn’t see the move as putting heat on Therrien. Regardless, Muller’s addition will shore up the Canadiens’ coaching depth.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS: Long-time Rangers play-by-play broadcaster Sam Rosen “will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November as a “Media Honouree” when he receives the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award.” Chicago Tribune columnist Bob Verdi will receive the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award for excellence in hockey journalism.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Congratulations to Rosen and Verdi on their well-deserved honors.
MIAMI HERALD: The Florida Panthers unveiled their new logo and jerseys yesterday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not bad, but I’ll always be partial to their original logo and jersey.
TWINCITIES.COM: Former Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo is vying for one of the two vacant assistant-coaching jobs with the St. Louis Blues.
THE DETROIT NEWS: The Red Wings are interviewing former Ottawa Senators coach Doug Cameron for their vacant assistant coach position.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: The Florida Panthers have hired former Sabres assistant coach Dave Barr.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Centennial Authority chairman Tom McCormick, the landlord of the Carolina Hurricanes arena, says the lawsuit involving Hurricanes owner Peter Karmanos Jr and his three eldest sons has nothing to do with the club and isn’t an indication the team could be moving. The Hurricanes lease with PNC Arena runs through 2024.
TSN: Travis Yost with an interesting piece pointing out that a change of scenery doesn’t always change a struggling defenseman.
ARIZONA SPORTS: The Arizona Coyotes have renamed their farm team the Tucson Roadrunners.
Everyone always hates new logos at first, but I actually think the Panthers’ is pretty sharp. The rest of the jersey is different, for sure.
Cizikas being well paid but how much of his success was created by the monsters on his wings?
Wow, not a fan. The original logo is just meaner, more intimidating and intense. This guy looks like he lets the rats go after they accidentally fall in his lap. Even gives them a place to stay and cooks THEM dinner. Before bed, he turns on murder she wrote and falls alseep by 7.
I think they could’ve done this as an alternate to test out reaction, but for me the jumping panther is a lot more fun. I like the jersey colours and set up though. This style of jersey with the jumping panther would be spot on. Then the new logo as an alternate. Apparently it’s not up to me though.
I just think you don’t mess with a good thing and, no, this is not ‘hating because it’s new’. I love logo redesigns. I just think they missed.
Panthers logo looks like something from a college. I agree with Spector, their original was better.
Myself I never liked Florida’s logo. I always prefer an older classic look. As such I like the new logo very much. I like how it is framed in the crest/shield the most. The original logo always reminded me more of a pee wee type thing or something out of a childrens cartoon. I’m not completely sold on the panther in this new logo, its a bit modern for my taste I guess is the best way to describe my feelings.
My favorite logos are one’s like St. Louis, Detroit, Philly, Boston, Edmonton classic and simple. Although I did like that Buffalo head the Sabers used, hated that slug. But the crest with the Sabers crossed above the Buffalo in the circle is my fave of Buffalo’s logos.
Guess its a matter of taste. I don’t believe I overly care for a single logo created in the 90s. I prever the Sens profile crest over the log which turn the face more at an angel. Yet if I had my way the Sens would be using their current Alternate Jersey’s as their main ones and their logo would be a simple O with the Black and Red divided back ground behind it.
I think my main issue with the new logo is its use of beige or brown for the Panther. It’s likely most accurate colour to use but I find from a distance it cause the logo to stick out almost like a sticker on the jersey. Doesn’t quite fit with the red and white. However when I look at a picture of the logo standing alone I really like it. Perhaps a darker shade on either the Jersey colours or the Panther would of brought it more together for my likings.
Over all I very much prefer this new logo of the original.
Panthers or cougars???
This is not nhl style
I feel better about the fisherman now…