Updates on Phil Kessel, Marcus Johansson and more in this morning’s collection of NHL headlines.
Phil Kessel brought the Stanley Cup to Toronto’s Sick Children’s Hospital.
TORONTO SUN: As part of his day with the Stanley Cup, Pittsburgh Penguins winger and former Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel brought the trophy to Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital on Monday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: During his time in Toronto, Kessel devoted considerable time and money to worthy causes such as the Sick Kids Hospital. Even after leaving Toronto a year ago, it’s clear the city still has a place in his heart.
THE WASHINGTON POST: Winger Marcus Johansson and the Washington Capitals have submitted their contract proposals two days before his schedule arbitration hearing in Toronto. Johansson is seeking $5.25 million per season, while the Caps are offering $3.85 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A settlement between the two sides could see a deal worth around $4.5 million annually.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: It’s believed Zemgus Girgensons is seeking a two- or three-year deal from the Buffalo Sabres, but his performance last season indicates he’ll have a difficult time getting it. As for negotiations with defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen, the club is hoping to re-sign him to a long-term deal.
TSN: Former Los Angeles Kings defenseman Slava Voynov is ineligible to participate for Russia in this fall’s World Cup of Hockey.
SUN-SENTINEL.COM: The Florida Panthers believe recently-acquired forward Colton Sceviour has only just scratched the surface of his offensive potential.
Good on Phil. Shows what he is really made of.
Sure does nothing has made me happier in the hockey world then to see redemption for Phil. Great run while playing hurt in the playoffs returning to sick kids with the cup…shows what kind of heart this guy has.
Good on you, Phil!
Shticky completely says my thoughts.
This is all just making me happy that we traded for him and proud that he is representing the Penguins so well.
He only came back so he could get another hot dog, you know you were all thinking it.
Only if your name is Steve Simmons…;)
Wasn’t the Stanley Cup parade Toronto was planning but still nice that the city’s residents get to see it. This is awful, but realistic, to say but as a resident you don’t even have to be terminally ill to know that your lifetime chances to see the Cup are low.
Thats what happens in a 30 (soon to be 31) team league count the years between cups in places like NY Chi (pre Kane and Toews) Buffalo St. Louis Vancouver….no Stanley cups is not just a Toronto thing, missing the playoffs is a different story.
Agreed for the most part but ya gotta admit 49 years is a fair bit beyond 31, right? It’s more than just being part of a longer rotation of winners. It’s beyond a statistical anomaly for being able to refer to them as a “champion” or a “contender”.
Not really maybe you’re just young but previous to recently it was 49 years between cups for cup wins 54 year for Rangers St Loiis has how many cup and have nearly been in the league 50 years same as Van Buffalo…..it’s not uncommon to go decades with out a cup it is an kinda embarrassing to miss the playoffs 9 out of 10 years but
42 years for the Wings 35 for the Bruins. 49 for the Hawks 54 for the Rangers …5 out of 6 of the original 6 has a gap of decades between cup wins and there are a few teams that have been around almost as long with no cups…the issue is missing the playoffs
I’m a capsfan, well more of an Ovechkin fan, but I’ve watched 95% of the games the last 5-6 years.
Marcus Johansson should NOT get no 4,5-5,25. If he does the cap needs to be around 150m. He us soft on the puck and a nervous player, if not on the top pp unit with Backstrom as a panic outlet he is a 15 point-guy. Anything more than 2,6 and they should let him go. I was upsey enough last year when they extended him.
Why so much as 2,6 is because he is good at drawing penelties, and that’s about it.