Opportunity Seized — July 1, 2024 - VOL. 77, Issue. 14 - Carol Schram
WHEN ARTURS SILOVS suddenly landed on the scene for Game 4 of the Nashville Predators’ first-round playoff series against the Vancouver Canucks, Luke Evangelista was one of the few NHL players who already had a read on the lanky Latvian
“I can remember that day, that game, those goals like it was just a few months ago,” Evangelista said. “It’s been a great ride so far.”
When he was drafted in Round 2 (42nd overall) by Nashville in 2020, Evangelista was primarily known as a smart, playmaking right winger. The following season, he saw limited action while the OHL was shut down, getting into just 14 games with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves.
In the fall of 2021, he returned to the London Knights as a 19-year-old and was named captain. Then, he unveiled a new-found nose for the net, scoring an OHL-best 55 goals to go along with 56 assists. From there, he made a smooth transition to the AHL, logging 41 points in 49 games with Milwaukee in 2022-23.
Evangelista’s first NHL call-up came in February 2023 as the Predators started cleaning house ahead of the trade deadline. He staked his claim on a full-time roster spot for 2023-24 by finishing with 15 points in 24 games – a stretch that started with those two goals against Silovs.
And while there was change on the roster and behind the bench, Evangelista had no trouble convincing first-year Preds coach Andrew Brunette that he had the physical and mental tools to be an effective NHLer. “Luke is a big-time player,” Brunette said. “I don’t think he’s intimidated by anything. He wants the moment, and you love that about him.”
Raised in Toronto, Evangelista caught the hockey bug early. His aspirations were juiced by his mom’s cousin, Brendan Shanahan. “He’s been a cool influence,” Evangelista said. “Someone you look up to, who makes you realize the dream is possible.”
As a preschooler, Evangelista was thrilled to get behind-the-scenes access and a photo with Jaromir Jagr after his family was invited to attend a morning skate when Shanahan’s New York Rangers visited the Leafs.
HE’S SOMEONE YOU LOOK UP TO, WHO MAKES YOU REALIZE THE DREAM IS POSSIBLE—EVANGELISTA ON SHANAHAN
By then, Evangelista was already a true-blue fan of his hometown team. The first jersey he ever owned was that of a rookie defenseman who shares his first name and is now a teammate—Luke Schenn.
When Schenn broke into the league at 18, his 33-year-old teammate Jamal Mayers offered some prescient advice. “He said, ‘Always be nice to the five- and six-year-olds. One day, they’re going to be your teammates,’” Schenn said. “I didn’t really know what he meant by that at the time, but now I understand.”
Evangelista and Schenn met for the first time at the Predators’ camp in September, after Schenn signed with Nashville. It’s said that you should never meet your heroes, but the thoughtful and engaging Schenn did not disappoint. “He exceeded my expectations,” said Evangelista, 22. “He was way cooler than I thought.”
Early on, the revamped Predators went through some growing pains. But Evangelista was a steady contributor all season, finishing sixth in rookie scoring with 16 goals and 39 points.
He was scratched for just the second time all year for the infamous 9-2 loss to Dallas on Feb. 15 that triggered the cancellation of the team’s outing to see U2 in Vegas. But through the 18 games without a regulation loss that followed, he was a key part of the success story with six goals and 10 points, and he carved out a regular spot on the first power-play unit.
Prior to Nashville’s first-round series against Vancouver, Schenn invited Evangelista to his home for dinner and some mini-sticks with his kids. The gesture was a highlight for a talented player whose NHL story is just beginning. “I remember calling my mom,” Evangelista said. “I was like, ‘If you told the six-year-old me that I’d be playing mini-sticks with Luke Schenn, I’d be freaking out.’”
Former world No 4 backs best man at his wedding to reignite Raducanu and hopes to entice Jannik Sinner to join Team Europe at the O2
“Tennis is in a good place, but I think it could be better,” says Tim Henman when asked about the state of the sport that has consumed most of his life. He will soon outline ways tennis could be improved but, first, it helps to remember that the 51-year-old played in six grand slam semi-finals, including four at Wimbledon, won an Olympic silver medal and became No 4 in the world despite constant gripes from part-time tennis supporters who wrongly said he lacked the grit of an elite player.
Yet grit filters through Henman’s memories and explains why he loves tennis while always striving to reach a better place. We meet at the Queen’s Club and the elegance of the venue provides a stark contrast to the series of cheap B&Bs where Henman lived, down the road in Earl’s Court, for two years at the outset of his career. Money was tight then and sometimes four young players could share a single room.
With the 2026 NHL Draft just a week away, it's time to zero in on some Nashville Predators 2026 Draft Targets.
In the first edition, we covered Viggo Björk, and today, we are going to look at Daxon Rudolph from Prince Albert of the Western Hockey League (WHL).
He checks just about every box you want in a modern top-four NHL defenseman. At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, he already has the frame to handle pro minutes, but it’s the way he moves that stands out more than anything.
Rudolph is a smooth skater with strong hockey sense, which shows up in how calmly he handles pressure on the breakout. He can slow things down when he needs to or speed them up and transition play through the neutral zone without much hesitation. There’s a real offensive element to his game too, especially with a heavy shot from the point that becomes a legitimate weapon on the power play.
He does jump into the rush when the opportunity is there, but it doesn’t feel reckless. His defensive game is more advanced than you’d expect at his stage, particularly in how he manages gaps and uses his stick to cut plays off early. Coming off a strong season in Prince Albert, he looks like a player trending toward a long-term top-four NHL role.
Scout's Takes:
Here are some of the scouting reports put out by the most notable scouts/hockey writers in the NHL.
"Rudolph’s hockey sense is off the charts. He doesn’t try to do more than he’s capable of and force plays for the sake of making them. Instead, he plays to his strengths, which happens to be quite a few elements. He has a booming shot, makes great breakout passes and can knock guys down.
- Steven Ellis - Daily Faceoff
"Rudolph is a good skater whose skating patterns, flow and edges are comfortable. He can manipulate coverage or jump off the line. He sees the ice well and can beat the first layer and then find the back door through a second layer. He defends the rush well and has a good stick. He’s a heady player who thinks the game well."
- Scott Wheeler - The Athletic
"His combination of size, skill, physicality and willingness to block shots are attractive attributes. The right-shot defenceman could develop into a top-pairing NHL blue liner in time."
- Jason Bukala - Sportsnet
Draft Projection
This season, it seems like with every passing mock draft, there is a completely different order outside of the top three. For Rudolph, it seems that the sweet spot for him to be drafted is in the range of 7-10. It wouldn't be overly shocking if the Predators lean towards taking Rudolph, especially considering how much forward depth they have in their system.
Following his retirement from the NHL, former Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard occasionally would serve as a studio analyst for Bally Sports Detroit.
But now, he's landed himself a new role with Detroit's newest expansion franchise. Howard has been chosen as the goaltending coach for PWHL Detroit, one of the newest expansion franchises for the Professional Women's Hockey League that will begin play at Little Caesars Arena this fall.
PWHL adds experience in goal – with ex-Red Wing Jimmy Howard as goaltending coach https://t.co/RtVbxW0AmU
Howard, whom the Red Wings selected with the 64th overall pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, is ranked third all-time in Detroit goaltending history with 246 victories in a Red Wings uniform behind only Chris Osgood and Terry Sawchuk.
He played his first NHL game in the fall of 2005, and would spend four seasons with the American Hockey League affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins before being promoted full time in Detroit in the fall of 2009.
Howard would eventually wrestle the title of starting goaltender away from Osgood during the 2009-10 season, and even put himself in the conversation for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's best goaltender.
Reaching his 500th career NHL game in 2019, he became just the third Red Wings goaltender to achieve the feat, also behind Osgood and Sawchuk.
Upon his retirement in 2021, Howard had accumulated a record of 246-196-70 along with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage 24 shutouts. He also went 21-26 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs while posting a 2.58 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage with three shutouts.
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Jonathan Toews, one of the most accomplished players of his generation and the longtime face of the Blackhawks franchise, officially announced his retirement after 16 NHL seasons.
The 38-year-old made the announcement Friday following one season with his hometown Jets, bringing an end to a career that included three Stanley Cup championships, two Olympic gold medals and a reputation as one of hockey’s premier leaders.
“I have to say I’m satisfied; I’m fulfilled. I’m so thankful and grateful for the career I had,” Toews said. “But at this point, it’s one thing to be healthy and to have the hunger. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have the skillset to continue to play at this level and be an offensive player the way I know I can.
“But it’s just come to the point where it’s taken such a toll, I’m just kind of ready to let the stress level go down.”
Jonathan Toews skates the 2010 Stanley Cup onto home ice before the home opener against the Detroit Red Wings at United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on Sunday, October 9, 2010. Tribune News Service via Getty I
Toews was selected third overall by Chicago in the 2006 NHL Draft and quickly became one of the league’s rising stars.
Just one year after making his NHL debut, he was named captain of the Blackhawks, becoming the third-youngest captain in NHL history at the time.
He spent 15 seasons with Chicago before returning for one final campaign with his hometown Jets in 2025-26.
His greatest success came during Chicago’s early to mid-2010s, where he captained the Blackhawks to Stanley Cup titles in 2010, 2013 and 2015, helping transform the franchise into one of the NHL’s dominant teams of the era.
Jonathan Toews celebrates after the Blackhawks scored a goal against the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the First Round during the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs. Getty Images
Chicago’s 2010 title was particularly significant because it ended a Knicks-like 49-year Stanley Cup drought for the organization.
Toews was named playoff MVP that year and received the Conn Smythe Trophy after recording 29 points during the postseason.
Toews will undoubtedly earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, too.
In addition to his aforementioned accolades, he won the Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2013 and was a six-time All-Star between 2009 and 2017, and he was named one of the league’s greatest 100 players in 2017 before even turning 30.
Jonathan Toews skates during the second period action against the San Jose Sharks at Canada Life Centre on April 16, 2026 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. NHLI via Getty Images
Representing Canada, Toews won Olympic gold medals in 2010 and 2014, along with a World Championship in 2007 and a World Cup of Hockey title in 2016.
By age 22, he had become the youngest member of hockey’s prestigious Triple Gold Club for players who have won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship and the Stanley Cup.
Toews finishes his career 383 goals, 529 assists and 912 points in 1,149 games.
He also appeared in 137 playoff games, recording 119 points and starring on several Blackhawk playoff teams.
The big news in the last couple of days has been players turning down their player options to become free agents. Trae Young was the biggest name (though he is expected to re-sign with Washington), and more are on the way, including the Lakers' Austin Reaves.
However, not everyone is taking that path.
Memphis wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will pick up his $21.6 million player option, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. This was expected because KCP was not going to find an offer that large on the open market.
Caldwell-Pope was a highly sought-after 3&D wing who has a couple of rings for his efforts (2020 Lakers, 2023 Nuggets), but the 33-year-old's game has fallen off over the past couple of seasons, particularly his 3-point shooting. With the Grizzlies last season, he played in 51 games (he had finger surgery in February that ended his season) and averaged 8.4 points per game, shooting 31.6% from beyond the arc.
Because he's on a good-sized expiring contract, expect Caldwell-Pope's name to pop up in a lot of trade rumors this season as the Grizzies make over their roster.
If you don't remember seeing Russell in a Wizards' uniform, that's because you didn't. He came to Washington from Dallas as part of the Anthony Davis trade, but the Wizards told Russell he didn't have to report to the team. So he didn't and, by mutual agreement, sat out the rest of the season.
This move by Russell makes sure he gets paid off his contract, but we may never actually see him suit up for the Wizards — they already have Young and Bub Carrington at the point (and could draft another next week). Russell could end up part of any draft night or free agency trades, and barring that it is possible the sides work out a buyout.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - JUNE 03: Dylan Harper #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts during the second quarter against the New York Knicks in Game One of the 2026 NBA Finals at Frost Bank Center on June 03, 2026 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Spurs had a fantastic 2025/26 season that almost resulted in a title, but that doesn’t mean everything was perfect. The downside of having such a talented and stacked roster is that inevitably someone will want more touches or minutes, and it turns out rookie Dylan Harper was that guy, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
Harper voiced displeasure earlier in the season about a lack of playing time and his role, but those increased as the season progressed and the rookie gained more experience.
It’s not shocking to hear that the clear-cut No.2 overall pick of a great draft class wasn’t happy with coming off the bench and playing a support role for around 20 minutes a game when he was clearly capable of more. You don’t get to be as good as Harper is at basketball without supreme confidence in your abilities and extreme competitiveness, so no one should blame the rookie for wanting more responsibility, especially on a team that early on wasn’t expected to be a contender.
It’s good to hear that, as his role increased and the Spurs proved to be an elite squad, his displeasure seemingly disappeared, but it’s also hard not to wonder if his great postseason performance will have him once again wanting more. Harper was terrific in the playoffs and especially in the Finals, showing that he’s not just a likely future star but also someone who can contribute on the biggest stage right now. And he clearly knows it, which could put the Spurs in a predicament.
If Harper wants to start, Mitch Johnson will face a tough decision. San Antonio has De’Aaron Fox as one of its starting guards. The veteran is on a maximum contract, and, while arguably not as gifted, he’s more well-rounded than Harper. Stephon Castle is the team’s best point-of-attack defender, and he wouldn’t be able to consistently play off the ball to accommodate Harper as the main ball handler because of his lack of range. Devin Vassell had arguably his best season as a do-it-all swingman who was by far the best shooter on the backcourt. Who gets relegated to the bench? It’s not an easy question to answer.
Now, Harper may be fine with a sixth-man role for now as long as he gets more touches and finishes games. His performance in the postseason was impressive enough to suggest he might be ready for more responsibility than the typical second-year guard, but as the youngest and the one with the shortest track record of production, he could be fine with paying his dues as long as he gets more opportunities to grow his game and to act as the closer at times. It might actually be for the best to bring him along slowly, taking advantage of the depth at guard to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on him.
Hopefully, Harper will see it that way and will be happy starting next season as a super sub and the prohibitive candidate for Sixth Man of the Year. If he is, the Spurs won’t be forced to make any tough decisions. If he isn’t, the possibility of trading Fox to make room for the young guard becomes more realistic. While it doesn’t seem like the best idea to move on from the veteran guard this summer, Harper has looked like a future star, and keeping him happy should be one of the franchise’s biggest priorities.
The Spurs have aced the hardest part of any rebuild: getting enough talent to contend. Now, general manager Brian Wright and coach Mitch Johnson will have to figure out how all the pieces fit and who will need to sacrifice or be sacrificed to optimize how things work on the floor and in the locker room.
3 Feb 2001: The North American team poses for a picture before practice for the NHL All-Star Game at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Captain Mario Lemieux of Pittsburgh sits in the center of the front row. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr/ALLSPORT | Getty Images
The past thirty years of Avalanche hockey have featured incredible highs, and some very, very dismal lows.
As an avid fan of The Simpsons, I’ve witnessed plenty of “best of times” moments, but also been subjected to a smattering of unpleasant “blursts” of times. In this first of an ongoing off-season series, I take a look back through the past thirty years, highlighting one moment that stands among the best, and comparatively, the worst (or blurst, if you will) each season.
Here are the best and blurst moments from the second five years of Colorado Avalanche history.
2000-2001
The Best: Mission Accomplished (June 9, 2001)
The Avs knew the clock was ticking coming into the 2000-2001 season, and they didn’t let a second of it go to waste. They set franchise records in regular season wins (52) and points (118), clinched their second Presidents Trophy, and secured the top seed in the playoffs.
The motto for the Avs entering the postseason was as sharp as a skate blade: Mission 16W.
A four-game sweep of the Vancouver Canucks set the stage for a dramatic seven game series against Los Angeles. The Avs would emerge victorious, but at a significant cost (more on this later). An overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues in Game Five sent the Avs to the Stanley Cup Final, where they would face the defending champion New Jersey Devils, who finished as the Eastern Conference’s top seed.
The Avs certainly didn’t make things easy for themselves. Trailing in the series 3-2, they won a pivotal Game Six in New Jersey to tie the series and set the stage for a dramatic Game Seven back in Denver.
Alex Tanguay became a household name for Avs fans everywhere upon scoring the first two goals of the game. Joe Sakic added an insurance goal on the power play, and that was all the Avs needed to complete their mission, defeating New Jersey by a 3-1 decision to claim the franchise’s second Stanley Cup.
After being summoned by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, Sakic paused for the traditional pose, then without missing a beat, made the finest pass of his career, handing the Stanley Cup to Bourque.
All of you reading this are probably hearing ESPN’s Gary Thorne’s legendary call in your head right now: “And after twenty-two years…Raymond Bourque!”
Patrick Roy would win his fourth Stanley Cup (and a record-setting third Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP), but the fondest memories of this Stanley Cup Final—and the undisputed best moment of the season—are of the one player who waited twenty-two years to win his first.
The Blurst: Peter Forsberg Ruptures Spleen (May 4, 2001)
The Avs seemingly exorcised their Game Seven demons by clinching a berth in the Western Conference Final after being taken to the limit by Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the euphoria of this victory would soon evaporate, as news broke that Peter Forsberg had ruptured his spleen and was rushed into emergency surgery mere hours after the game.
According to ESPN, Forsberg had begun noticing a mark near his ribs after the Avs lost Game Five in Denver, but it would take an additional six days before feeling any pain. He was bleeding internally and the procedure to remove his spleen was performed. As a result, he would not return for the remainder of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The loss of Forsberg was certainly a major blow to the Avs, especially after their second round victory. Avs fans began to wonder if Forsberg’s absence could derail yet another shot at the Stanley Cup. These worries would eventually subside, as the Avs cruised past the St. Louis Blues and emerged victorious over New Jersey in the Stanley Cup Final.
Although he didn’t play another game in the postseason, the now-spleenless Forsberg returned for the postgame ceremony after the series-clinching victory to raise the Stanley Cup with his teammates.
It’s not often that a blurst has a happy ending. This is one of them.
2001-2002
The Best: The Return of Peter the Great (April 18, 2002)
The news that Peter Forsberg would miss the entire season cast a major pall over the Avs as they began another defense of the Stanley Cup. However, on the cusp of the 2002 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the news that Forsberg would be activated in time for start of the Western Conference Quarterfinals immediately boosted the Avs’ hopes for another extended playoff run, one that could produce a second straight title.
After an absence stretching over eleven months, Forsberg returned to action against the very team the he last faced in the playoffs a year earlier: the Los Angeles Kings. Both teams would again go the distance, with the Avs emerging victorious in another Game Seven finish.
In the Western Conference Semifinals against the San Jose Sharks, both teams traded victories through the first six games, but Forsberg proved to be the difference-maker in Game Seven, scoring the game’s only goal to send the Avs back to the Western Conference Final, where they would meet the Detroit Red Wings.
Despite coming up short against Detroit, Forsberg’s return cannot be understated. In twenty postseason games, he led all skaters in assists (18) and points (27)—both career highs—while finishing second in goals scored (9, tying Joe Sakic). Only Brett Hull scored more goals (10) than Forsberg during that postseason.
Peter the Great’s best, unfortunately, wasn’t enough for the Avs to defend their Stanley Cup title.
The Blurst: Patrick Roy’s Statue of Liberty Gaffe (May 29, 2002)
The Avs led their Western Conference Final series 3-2 over Detroit going into Game Six, and had a chance to clinch their second straight appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. With time winding down in the first period, Detroit pressed hard offensively, but had not yet broken through Roy.
Roy, who was notorious for his “Statue of Liberty” pose after making an emphatic save, pulled out the trademark maneuver after making a point blank save on Yzerman. However, Roy failed to secure the puck in his glove, and unknowingly dropped it to the ice. Brendan Shanahan immediately pounced on the puck, jamming it into the unguarded net behind Roy.
The gaffe was not just the turning point in the game, but of the entire series. The Avs would lose Game Six by a 2-0 decision, following this effort with an utterly humiliating 7-0 loss to Detroit at Joe Louis Arena in Game Seven.
Plenty of fingers can be pointed to a lack of scoring (how does a team this talented go scoreless for two whole games, especially against your most hated rival?), but Roy’s baffling blurst is where the series was truly lost.
2002-2003
The Best: Patrick Roy Plays 1000th Regular Season Game (January 20, 2003)
Whether it’s scoring fifty goals in a season, iron man streaks, or breaking franchise records, milestone moments in a player’s career deserve recognition.
Reaching a milestone that no one has ever achieved before? Now, that’s special.
Patrick Roy accomplished that feat in this game, as he became the first goaltender in League history to appear in 1000 career games. The Avs hosted a special pregame ceremony celebrating Roy’s achievement prior to facing off against the Dallas Stars. He received a silver stick and a commemorative gift, with his children on hand at ice level for the occasion.
As for the game itself, the contest ended in a 1-1 draw (remember those?), snapping a five game home losing streak.
Three other goaltenders (Martin Brodeur, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Roberto Luongo) have since eclipsed the 1000 game mark, but St. Patrick will forever be known for reaching it first.
The Blurst: A Game 7 Meltdown Against Minnesota (April 22, 2003)
Haven’t we seen this movie before? (Yes, five years earlier.)
The powerhouse Avs, poised for another deep run in the Stanley Cup, held a 3-1 series lead against an upstart Minnesota Wild club who had reached the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
The Avs hosted Game Five with their eyes on a second round appearance. Minnesota, however, took the fight to the Avs, having scored the first three goals of the contest. Despite battling back, the Avs would lose by a 3-2 decision, sending the series to St. Paul for Game Six.
Both teams didn’t budge for the first two periods, but Minnesota scored a pair of goals to take the lead in the third period. Colorado rallied to force overtime, but Minnesota scored the game-winner in the overtime session, winning by another 3-2 decision.
In Game Seven, both teams traded goals in the second and third period, but this game wouldn’t be decided in regulation. With just under five minutes played in overtime, Andrew Brunette had room to make a move on Patrick Roy uncontested, and his backhand effort in the crease eluded Roy, giving Minnesota its third straight 3-2 victory to win the series.
This blurst sent Patrick Roy into retirement, and with him, the Avs’ halcyon days were now in short supply.
2003-2004
The Best: Paul Kariya and Teemu Selänne Flock to Colorado (July 4, 2003)
This one might be a bit of a reach, since this technically took place prior to the season.
When news broke that both Paul Kariya and Teemu Selänne had negotiated sweetheart contracts to play together in Colorado, the buzz was as high as ever leading up to the first game of the 2003-2004 season. The Avs were immediately christened as the favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
After the signings were announced, Avs GM Pierre Lacroix told the Associated Press, “Over the last 36 hours, these two athletes expressed their strong desire to come to Denver and play for the Avalanche,” Lacroix said. “Obviously, we were stunned.
“We were able to do all of this without changing any of the (salary) structure that we have for the coming season.”
The hype machine was in full swing, as the Avs prepared for one last hurrah in the final season under the then-current collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, and both had very different viewpoints on what the future would hold (spoilers).
Unfortunately, neither Kariya or Selänne were able to provide the offensive impact that many expected when the contracts were announced. Injuries hampered Kariya’s production, as he mustered a paltry 11 goals and 25 assists for 36 points in 51 games with the Avs. Despite playing with nagging knee issues, Selänne scored 16 goals and added 16 assists for 32 points over 78 games, all while his role was diminished by head coach Tony Granato. The pair mustered four assists combined (Kariya had three, Selänne only one) during the Avs first round loss to the Nashville Predators.
While the signings definitely gave off vibes of being a best, they may as well have been a blurst, had something much worse never taken place that season.
The Blurst: A Violent Night in Vancouver (March 8, 2004)
March 8, 2004, is one of the darkest dates in franchise history.
When the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Avs that night at GM Place (now Rogers Arena), all pretense of gamesmanship one comes to expect during a hockey game were dropped, showcasing something far more perverse.
After Steve Moore had injured Canucks captain Markus Näslund three weeks earlier on February 16, comments of retribution from members of the Vancouver roster were aimed at Moore, vowing to even the score with him. No penalty was assessed to Moore for his hit on Näslund, which incensed Canucks head coach Mark Crawford.
“That was a cheap shot by a young kid on a captain, leading scorer in the League, and we get no call. We get no call! That is ridiculous!” Crawford said in postgame comments that night.
Other, more inflammatory remarks were directed at Moore. Brad May bluntly said, “There’s definitely on [Moore’s] head,” while assistant captain Todd Bertuzzi said, “That kid is a piece of shit.”
The rhetoric grew to such incendiary levels that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman personally attended the next meeting between the Avs and Canucks at Pepsi Center on March 3. Playing to a 5-5 draw, both teams made nice in front of Bettman. careful not to draw any unwanted attention.
Five days later in Vancouver, all niceties were left at the door.
In front of packed house, Steve Moore and Matt Cooke fought each other early in the first period. The bout was brief, with Moore getting the better of Cooke. Both received fighting majors.
The “code” had been upheld, and that’s where this tale should have ended. It didn’t.
After Moore’s fight with Cooke, the Avs would score five consecutive goals—four on goaltender Dan Cloutier, and another on Johan Hedberg—in the balance of the period. Moore scored the fifth and final goal in that period.
It would be the final goal of his professional career.
With the Avs holding a commanding 8-2 lead in the third period, Bertuzzi skated behind Moore, pulled on the back of his sweater, then unleashed a hard punch to the back of Moore’s head. The blow sent Moore face first to the ice, defenseless, with Bertuzzi still holding onto him.
Bedlam ensued. Avs forward Andrei Nikolishin immediately raced to Moore’s defense, punching Bertuzzi and attempting to pull him off the defenseless Moore. Canucks forward Sean Pronger and defenseman Mattias Öhlund entered the picture to go after Nikolishin. May fought with Avs defenseman Kurt Sauer. Hedberg beckoned to Avs goaltender David Aebischer, who refused to indulge him. Meanwhile, Avs head coach Tony Granato unleashed a verbal tirade against Crawford, who ignored him while smirking behind the Vancouver bench.
The damage had already been done. Moore was unconscious and bleeding on the ice, requiring medical intervention. He would later be taken to a local hospital, where he would be diagnosed with three cervical vertebrae fractures, facial cuts, and a concussion. The injuries stemming from Bertuzzi’s attack eventually forced him to retire.
“The Vancouver Canucks vowed they were going to get Moore,” the late Peter McNab said on the Avalanche broadcast that night, shock and anger in his voice, to stunned viewers who watched the attack unfold in real time. “They got him.”
As for Bertuzzi, he offered a public apology to Moore in a press conference held in Vancouver on March 10. The next day, the NHL suspended Bertuzzi indefinitely. The IIHF followed suit, effectively banning Bertuzzi during the lockout that wiped out the 2004-2005 season (spoilers). Upon the NHL’s return to action for the 2005-2006 season, Bertuzzi was reinstated. He would play another ten years in the NHL before retiring.
A settlement was reached between Moore and Bertuzzi in 2014. The terms of the settlement remain confidential.
A courtroom may have seen a settlement, but this sordid situation will always feel unsettling.
This event deserves to be called something infintely more damning than a blurst.
2004-2005
The Best: The 2004 World Cup of Hockey (August 30-September 14, 2004)
After an eight year hiatus, the World Cup of Hockey returned to the international stage. While this technically didn’t occur during the course of a standard NHL season (the reason why is below), it is the brightest spot in an otherwise bleak hockey landscape that year.
Eight countries participated in the event. Canada, Slovakia, Russia, and the United States made up the North American group, while the Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, and Sweden comprised the European group.
Several pre-match games were played prior to the preliminary rounds for both groups. Canada won the North American preliminary round, while Finland narrowly edged out Sweden for the top spot in the European preliminary round.
In quarterfinals play, Finland and the United States advanced to a semifinal match by eliminating Germany and Russia, respectively. Canada shut out Slovakia to face the Czech Republic, who handily defeated Sweden. Finland and Canada would meet in the final at Air Canada Centre (now Scotiabank Arenea) in Toronto on September 14. Joe Sakic would score the opening goal for Canada, and Adam Foote would assist on Shane Doan’s game-winning goal, defeating Finland by a 3-2 score.
Seven players for the Avs participated in the event: Foote (Canada), Sakic (Canada), Milan Hejduk (Czech Republic), Ossi Väänänen (Finland), Peter Forsberg (Sweden), Steve Konowalchuk (United States), John-Michael Liles (United States).
Unfortunately, this would be the best that hockey would get as summer began to wind down.
The Blurst: Bettman Cancels Season (February 16, 2005)
Two days after Canada’s victory at the World Cup of Hockey, and one day after the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and the NHL Players Association, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced that the League’s Board of Governors unanimously voted to lock out the players, citing the Players’ Association unwillingness to come to terms on a finanical framework for a new collective bargaining agreement.
Both sides would continue negotiating throughout the work stoppage, but were unable to find any common ground. As months ticked by, the prospect of saving the season grew more and more remote. The lockout forced players to sign contracts in other professional leagues across Europe and Russia. Finally, in a press conference held on February 16, Bettman announced the cancellation of the 2004-2005 NHL season. In the wake of the cancellation, the Stanley Cup would not be awarded for the first time since 1919.
On July 13, nearly five months after the season was cancelled, both parties agreed on a new contract, ending the stalemate. The new bargaining agreement, which saw the implementation of a $38 million dollar salary cap, was signed on July 22. Now with cost certainty in place, difficult decisions loomed on the horizon for many teams throughout the League, and the Avs were no exception.
Changes were about to sweep across the roster, some more shocking than others.
Was there a best (or blurst) from the second five years of Avalanche hockey that was overloooked? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The 2026 NHL Entry Draft is officially one week away.
Whatever occurs at this year’s draft will heavily dictate the trajectory of the Vancouver Canucks organization moving forward. The team has already voiced their commitment to rebuilding, meaning whoever they’ll end up selecting with the third-overall pick will be a cornerstone in Vancouver’s future.
Plenty of high-end talent will still be available at third-overall, though it’s still unknown who the Toronto Maple Leafs (1) and San Jose Sharks (2) will select with their prior picks. The potential options available to Vancouver include the following:
- Caleb Malhotra: Energetic two-way centre who scored 29 goals and 55 assists in 67 games with the Brantford Bulldogs in 2025–26, son of new Canucks head coach Manny Malhotra.
- Chase Reid: Puck-moving right-shot defender who has averaged over a point-per-game with the Soo Greyhounds his past two seasons in the OHL.
- Ivar Stenberg: Highly-skilled offensive winger whose performance both for Frölunda HC and Sweden on international levels have put him in contention for going first-overall by some scouts.
- Keaton Verhoeff: 6’4 right-shot defenceman who captained Canada’s U-18 squad at the U-18 World Junior Championship, put together six goals and 14 assists in his first 36 games in the NCAA with the University of North Dakota.
Third-overall is only one of a few intriguing picks the Canucks have. Vancouver also owns the 24th selection in this year’s draft thanks to the Quinn Hughes trade conducted with the Minnesota Wild. Some of the notable prospects projected to be available by this pick are:
- Liam Ruck: Offensively-talented forward who put up 45 goals and 59 assists in 68 games with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the WHL alongside twin brother Markus.
- Mathis Preston: Board-battler forward with a strong shot who played for both the Spokane Chiefs and Vancouver Giants, racking up a season total of 18 goals and 26 assists.
- William Håkansson: 6’4 left-shot defenceman who is best known for the defensive side of the game, utilizes his size and skating stride to help defend.
- Egor Shilov: Offensive centreman who scored 32 goals and 50 assists in his first season in the QMJHL with the Victoriaville Tigers, drives play and makes offence happen.
Vancouver also holds two other picks within the first two-round of the draft: 33rd-overall (own pick) and 41st-overall (from the San Jose Sharks). The players available around that point will vary, but generally-speaking, these prospects are expected to be drafted sometime during the second round.
- Maddox Dagenais: 6’4 centre who averaged a point-per-game pace in the QMJHL this season with 30 goals and 32 assists, strong in the faceoff dot.
- Markus Ruck: CHL’s points-leader in 2025–26 with 21 goals and 87 assists in 68 games, can create offence as a playmaker while maintaining a solid defensive presence as a winger.
- Casey Mutryn: Two-way power-forward who spent the season with the U.S. National Team Development Program, set to play for Boston College for the 2026–27 season.
- Jaxon Cover: High-motor, no-quit winger who scored 20 goals and 32 assists in his first full OHL season with the London Knights.
- Alexander Bilecki: Left-shot defenceman who performs well in the O-zone, scored nine goals and 20 assists in his sophomore OHL season with the Memorial Cup-champion Kitchener Rangers.
The first round of the 2026 NHL Draft begins on June 26 at 4:00 pm PT. Rounds 2–7 will take place on June 27, starting at 8:00 am PT.
Jun 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; The video board shows the 20th overall pick for the Columbus Blue Jackets is about to be announced in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft at Peacock Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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43-year-old led French side to Conference League semis
Burnley pushing to bring in Craig Bellamy as head coach
Gary O’Neil is poised to become Ipswich’s new head coach, with the 43-year-old expected to return to England from Ligue 1 Strasbourg.
There are only minor details to sort with O’Neil primed to succeed Kieran McKenna, who announced his wish to depart Ipswich after leading them to the top flight for a second time.
Reports are now beginning to trickle out that the interest in Peterson is not one-sided, as one “well-placed insider” told Marc Stein that the Wizards are giving the Kansas guard “increased consideration.”
Peterson is a highly polarizing prospect in the NBA Draft, as he consistently pulled himself out of games while playing for Kansas, initially described as having cramping issues.
Darryn Peterson will only meet with the Washington Wizards. NBAE via Getty Images
He later said that the cramping was due to excessive creatine usage and was so bad that he was begging team staff to call 9-1-1 while dealing with extremely painful cramping.
Peterson said he believes that creatine usage is the underlying issue that created the problems.
Stein added that multiple draft experts believe that the Wizards are legitimately considering Peterson as the No. 1 draft pick on Tuesday’s NBA Draft.
Peterson was originally the No. 1 high school prospect according to 247 Sports before his standing began to shift due to cramping issues and pulling himself out of key moments in games.
If Peterson does go No. 1, the Utah Jazz would surely be thrilled to snag AJ Dybantsa at No. 2 overall, considering Dybantsa played just 45 miles south of Salt Lake City for BYU.
Dybantsa’s family has been in Utah since his senior year in high school at Utah Prep, where he was the No. 2 overall player in the class of 2025.
AJ Dybantsa is very familiar with Utah. JASON SZENES/ NY POST
There had been some more buzz surrounding Cameron Boozer as the top pick after a strong first year at Duke.
Boozer was one of the best players in college and the No. 3-ranked prospect.
Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.
NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 5: De'Aaron Fox #4 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals on June 8, 2026 at Madison Square Garden in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
The question of whether the Spurs should try to trade De’Aaron Fox this summer is one of the most interesting ones of the entire offseason. A portion of the fanbase, along with some talking heads and analysts, would say the answer should be a resounding “yes,” but it doesn’t seem like the front office agrees, according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright.
“Internally,” Wright writes, “the Spurs remain committed to Fox as their franchise starting point guard. Sources called Fox a calming presence and the team’s closer for most of the season, adding that one rough series essentially playing on one leg doesn’t change that.“
The Spurs are going to have to trade Fox before his contract expires, and if there’s an opportunity to do so this summer, they might as well get it over with and rip the bandage off now.
Now, the two quotes might appear contradictory, but that’s not necessarily the case. The Spurs might not shop Fox, at least not aggressively, and could be happy to bring him back while also listening to offers and potentially pulling the trigger if something makes sense for both parties.
So we know from trustworthy sources that San Antonio is committed to Fox, but moving him if they find an opportunity to do so doesn’t seem out of the question. But should they trade him this summer? While the answer is complex, it seems like it wouldn’t be the best idea, for several interconnected reasons. Let’s list them from least to most potentially harmful.
The Spurs’ reputation as a player-friendly franchise would take a hit
Let’s remember the story of how De’Aaron Fox got to the Spurs. Fox, tired of toiling away in Sacramento playing for a dysfunctional Kings team that only made the playoffs once with him on the roster, forced his way to San Antonio in 2025. His goal was to join Victor Wembanyama, already looking like a future superstar, and a fun, young group that featured then-rookie Stephon Castle in hopes of more success. Because he chose the Silver and Black, they got him for relatively cheap on the trade, mostly sending out backups and one valuable pick.
Flipping him now, after a bad postseason from the All-Star guard in which he played out of position and was injured, could give San Antonio a bad reputation with players who might be interested in joining powers with Wembanyama in the future, as they could think the franchise won’t value them. Granted, Fox got his max extension, which mitigates the damage, but the only way a trade would seem like a win-win for both player and team would be if Fox lands somewhere he wants to be and gets star minutes and touches.
The return on a trade is unlikely to be good
Because the Spurs are not just going to dump Fox just anywhere, as Finger says in his column, they’d be negotiating from a place of weakness. The number of suitors for Fox would be artificially reduced, meaning there wouldn’t be a bidding war. It’s possible that not even in the best of circumstances San Antonio would find a great offer for Fox, who is a good but not transcendent player on a maximum salary, but trading him now, when his value seems at an all-time low, doesn’t seem like a good management of resources.
The good news is that because the Spurs didn’t have to pay much to bring Fox along, not getting a king’s ransom back for him wouldn’t be that painful. And if they do in fact move him, it would be because they think they could be better off either on the court, in the locker room, or both by giving Dylan Harper as many minutes as he can handle. Still, since there is no rush, at least from a financial standpoint, waiting and hoping he could regain some of his value and remaining vigilant for the right suitor to appear feels like the better option.
The Spurs would likely be worse, and the pressure on the young guards would increase severely
Since in the event that Fox is traded it would likely be to a place he picks, and since his value is low at this point, it’s unlikely the Spurs get comparative talent back. Let’s assume they get something similar to what the Hawks got for Trae Young, which would be an aging guard (C.J. McCollum) and a limited role player (Corey Kispert). Unless there’s a serious chemistry issue that would be solved by the transaction, like there seemingly was in Atlanta, such a trade wouldn’t make San Antonio better. If the goal is to get back to the Finals next season, a move like that would make that objective more unlikely than, say, starting all three guards or convincing one to come off the bench.
It would also up the pressure on two extremely young players to make major strides in their game. While immensely talented, both Castle and Harper didn’t look ready to run a team last season. They were good scorers, and Castle clearly developed as a pick-and-roll ball handler, but they were not floor generals. Now, Fox isn’t exactly Chris Paul, and he played off the ball a lot, but on several occasions, he was the one who would settle the troops and run some offense that involved others. Despite his slump in the playoffs, he’s also the best three-point shooter of the three when accounting for volume. Maybe none of that would matter if Castle and Harper spent 2026/27 destroying opponents on simple drives, but until we see either or both of them be able to run a team, getting rid of the one guy who can could backfire.
The Dylan Harper lottery changed things for the Spurs. In a different universe, they land a lower pick, don’t select a guard, and the rumors about a potential Fox trade would not be as loud. In this reality and after how he performed in the postseason, it’s understandable to at least question whether a move should be made to clear a logjam and remove a contract that could eventually become a problem.
When taking the long view, however, almost certainly losing talent in the aggregate while trusting two young players to make a leap to make up for it doesn’t seem as appealing at this juncture, if the goal is to make another deep run in the playoffs. Eventually, the Spurs will almost certainly trade Fox, but since there’s no financial rush, they can afford to be patient and wait for a better opportunity.
It’s officially been 10 years since the words “Cleveland, this is for you” echoed off the walls of Rocket Arena from LeBron James.
Members of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers have been out in the United Kingdom, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the franchise winning their first NBA Championship.
James was joined by Iman Shumpert, Matthew Dellavedova, Richard Jefferson, and more as half of the group was seen driving in a golf cart, on their way to meet up with the rest of the group.
When the two halves finally became complete, the former teammates were filled with excitement as they were seen hugging, dapping one another up, and recreating personalized handshakes that they made back when they were teammates, showing that some good things don’t always end.
It’s officially been 10 years since the words “Cleveland, this is for you” echoed off the walls of Rocket Arena from LeBron James. X/2Cool2BlogMembers of the 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers have been out in the United Kingdom, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the franchise winning their first NBA Championship. X/2Cool2Blog
Lebron James reunites with Matthew Dellavedova & Iman Shumpert on the 2016 Cavs reunion trip celebrating 10 years pic.twitter.com/OHoGP18IZj
Another video emerged on Jefferson’s Instagram page where James said, “Y’all thought this trip was over?” To which the group ecstatically said, “Sike!”
The group kicked off the festivities earlier this week by playing a round of golf and going sightseeing while they’re out of the country.
Iman Shumpert and Matthew Dellavedova spotted in a golf cart in the UK. X/2Cool2Blog
The 2016 Cavaliers were a team of destiny, as they overcame an infamous 3-1 deficit to the Golden State Warriors.
On the verge of elimination, James and Irving took their game to another level to help the team overcome the deficit.
Irving had the most important shot of the series when he sank a three-point shot over Steph Curry’s head with less than a minute left in the game. Irving finished the series, averaging 27.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists.
James, who was born and raised in Akron, Ohio, finally fulfilled his destiny in 2016. By bringing his hometown team an NBA title. He put on a clinic during the series and was crowned MVP after averaging 29.7 points, 11.3 rebounds, and 7 assists.
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 12: Cameron Boozer shoots the ball during the 2026 NBA Draft Combine on May 12, 2026 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Back when Tim Duncan was in college at Wake Forest, people would watch him and think, what’s all the fuss about? Then they’d look at the boxscore and see 26 points, 15 rebounds, 4 blocks, and 5 assists.
In person, he was sort of boring because he never did anything flashy. He was just incredibly sound.
He says “Boozer is so smart, so crafty, and has this super high IQ, where his vision and his IQ make him faster and more athletic than he actually is, because he’s outthinking everybody on the court. And he has such a smart sense of anticipation and angles. Combine that with a workable three-point shot, at least in college, a nasty streak, an ability to handle the ball in the pick-and-roll…I fu**ing love that guy…I think he’s gonna walk in and be a really good NBA player right away.”
That’s what Duke fans were lucky enough to see last season. Like others before him – Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and just last week, Jalen Brunson, Boozer is smart enough to force the game to be played on his terms.
