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New York Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
‘Long and slow': For stagnant Wild, let's hope Day 2 of the NHL Draft is more eventful than Day 1
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Well, just like Bill Guerin said it would be, that sure was boring. The Minnesota Wild didn't have a first-round pick Friday for Day 1 of the NHL Draft after their trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets last November to acquire David Jiricek, the 21-year-old defenseman and No. 6 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Advertisement In the locker room of the Wild's practice facility, the team created a remote war room draped with Wild sweaters in the background, including a special one with the nameplate 'SHERO,' which, unfortunately for them, never saw the light of day on the big screen at Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The camera and Internet connection were set up in case the Wild somehow regained a first-round pick and could welcome a new player virtually. But instead, for more than four hours during what felt like an endless Round 1, Guerin and his staff twiddled their thumbs, munched on popcorn, ate a dinner that consisted of barbecue chicken and beef stroganoff and cracked plenty of jokes as they awaited Saturday's second day, where they can go to work and add perhaps five players to the organization's pipeline. What was this excruciating evening like for them? 'It was long and slow and, yeah, boring,' Guerin said. 📳 — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 28, 2025 But what also made Friday especially dull was the fact that there were no trades made by the Wild. Guerin said he wasn't particularly close on anything. There were only a couple of player-related trades all day, most prominently the New York Islanders-Montreal Canadiens Noah Dobson deal. 'I'm not too surprised,' Guerin said. 'Everybody needs players. This just seems like a difficult year to make deals.' And that's turning into quite the quandary for the Wild. This is a team that envisioned adding to its center depth this offseason, but it's finding the list of available centermen dwindling by the minute Sam Bennett and John Tavares re-signed with their current teams Friday, following the recent re-signings of Brock Nelson and Matt Duchene. Jonathan Toews signed with the Winnipeg Jets this past week, while Charlie Coyle and Trevor Zegras were also traded to other teams. Advertisement According to league sources, the New York Islanders have informed teams they don't plan to trade Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The 32-year-old vet with one more year left on his contract is a faceoff-winning monster who can kill penalties, play physically and contribute offensively — a player that would have filled lots of needs for the Wild. calm before the storm as they say — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 27, 2025 So unless Guerin has something unforeseen up his sleeve to add a center via trade, their best option could be in Tuesday's opening of free agency, though the options remaining there aren't exactly of the top-six variety. They'd be better fits to fill one of the team's other big needs, a third- or fourth-line center. Some options include Christian Dvorak, Sean Kuraly, Radek Faksa, Nico Sturm and Colin Blackwell. Claude Giroux also remains unsigned by the Ottawa Senators and is still exceptional in the faceoff circle, but he has played mostly wing in recent seasons. He also still hopes to re-sign with the Senators. 'There are players that can definitely help,' Guerin said. 'I mean, they're NHL players. They're good. It's always about fit, so we'll see.' The Wild currently have around $17 million or $18 million of cap space left for next season, depending on who makes the team, but Guerin has indicated that they don't necessarily plan to blow most of it on July 1. They'll likely save some of it to make some moves in-season. inside the Wild war room: — Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) June 27, 2025 If Guerin re-signs restricted free agent Marco Rossi — whether that's soon or later in the summer — the Wild will probably have to allocate around $5 million or $6 million to give them room for that. So that'll leave around $11 million or $12 million in their pursuit of a fourth-line center and a potential scoring winger in free agency, like a Brock Boeser or Patrick Kane or, dare we say it, Brad Marchand if he doesn't re-sign with the Florida Panthers. Advertisement If you do the math on what it would take to sign a bottom-six center, re-sign Rossi and add a scoring winger, it makes sense why they moved Freddy Gaudreau, giving them around $2.1 million of extra cap space. As for Saturday, after dealing Gaudreau to the Kraken for a fourth-round pick, the Wild have five picks: a second-rounder at No. 52, two fourths at Nos. 102 and 121, a fifth at No. 141 and a sixth at No. 180. We'll see if Day 2's six rounds go faster than Day 1's first. Fingers crossed because as Guerin cracked at the end of a long night, 'I know what it is now. Bedtime.' Just hit Hour 5 at the rink. My fellow beat writers are tired of my cynical jokes — Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) June 28, 2025
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seattle Thunderbirds Braeden Cootes Drafted 15th Overall By The Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have selected Braeden Cootes 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old center was the sixth WHLer selected, and third in a row. Listed at 6'0", 186 lbs, Cootes spent part of this season as the captain of the Seattle Thunderbirds. Cootes had a successful year both at the WHL an international level. He recorded 63 points in 60 regular-season games before putting up eight points in six post-season games. Cootes also captained Canada to a Gold Medal at the U18s, recording 12 points in seven games. Braeden Cootes of the Seattle Thunderbirds (Photo Credit: Evan Morud/Everett Silvertips/WHL) Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Tri-City Americans Jackson Smith Drafted 14th Overall By The Columbus Blue Jackets Advertisement Everett Silvertips Carter Bear Drafted 13th Overall By The Detroit Red Wings Calgary Hitmen Ben Kindel Drafted 11th Overall By The Pittsburgh Penguins Brandon Wheat Kings Roger McQueen Drafted Tenth Overall By The Anaheim Ducks Seattle Thunderbirds Radim Mrtka Drafted Ninth Overall By The Buffalo Sabres
Al Arabiya
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Emotional Tribute to 'Johnny Hockey' as Meredith Gaudreau Announces Blue Jackets' First Draft Pick
Meredith Gaudreau announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first pick in the NHL draft Friday night, 10 months after her husband, John, was killed along with his brother while riding bicycles on the eve of their sister's wedding. Fans at the Peacock Theater chanted 'Johnny! Johnny!' in honor of the late player nicknamed 'Johnny Hockey' and cheered Meredith as she spoke. 'I just wanted to take this time to thank every single team and every single fan base for your support for my family this past season,' Gaudreau said. 'It's truly an honor to be here and from the bottom of my heart I thank you.' Gaudreau then said the Blue Jackets were taking Jackson Smith, who later called it a 'surreal experience.' Smith, on a video call with reporters, added he was grateful to be part of the poignant scene. 'It was incredible,' Smith said. 'Just to see the support in the stands, in the crowd, for the Gaudreau family–it was an incredible moment, so to be picked right after that felt even extra special for me.'
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Emotional tribute to "Johnny Hockey" as Meredith Gaudreau announces Blue Jackets' first draft pick
Hockey sticks from various vigils for hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck by a motorist while riding bicycles, rest against a sign at the inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Walk, Run and Family Day, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Sewell, N.J. (AP Photo/Stephen Whyno) LOS ANGELES (AP) — Meredith Gaudreau announced the Columbus Blue Jackets' first pick in the NHL draft Friday night, 10 months after her husband, John, was killed along with his brother while riding bicycles on the eve of their sister's wedding. Fans at the Peacock Theater chanted 'Johnny! Johnny!' in honor of the late player nicknamed 'Johnny Hockey' and cheered Meredith as she spoke. Advertisement 'I just wanted to take this time to thank every single team and every single fan base for your support for my family this past season,' Gaudreau said. 'It's truly an honor to be here, and from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.' Gaudreau then said the Blue Jackets were taking Jackson Smith, who later called it a surreal experience. 'My greatest honor is representing him,' Meredith said afterward. ___ AP NHL:
New York Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
NHL trade grades: Blue Jackets pay high price, let Avalanche off the hook in Charlie Coyle deal
By Corey Pronman, Dom Luszczyszyn and James Mirtle Columbus Blue Jackets get: F Charlie Coyle and F Miles Wood Colorado Avalanche: F Gavin Brindley, 2025 third-round pick (No. 77) and 2027 conditional second-round pick The condition on the 2nd Rd pick in '27 is that the CBJ have two 2nd Rd picks that year so can send lower pick to Colorado — Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 27, 2025 Gavin Brindley was just OK as a rookie pro, but he was also a very young player at the AHL level. He's a highly likable player with a great track record, though at the college and international levels. With excellent skating and work ethic, Brindley buzzes around the ice, playing with a ton of pace and giving his best effort nightly. He's able to make highly skilled plays at full speed and plays with courage, going to the net and engaging along the walls. Brindley is a creative playmaker as well, although for a tiny forward, I wouldn't call him a dynamic offensive player. His energy could make him a middle-six wing, but he will need to score more versus men than he showed this past season. I understand Colorado wanting to target a player such as Brindley over a high draft pick as well. Brindley could realistically play in the NHL within a year or two. — Corey Pronman This one is some nice Houdini-like salary magic for the Avs, who were projected to be over the cap going into this deal. Instead, they free up $7.75 million that will allow Colorado to be an unexpected player in free agency on Tuesday. Plus, they get a little draft and prospect capital sprinkled in, too. Advertisement It's been a weird year for contract dumps already, as Mason Marchment and others have been shipped out for what feels like very little. Here, two overpriced forwards fetch two decent picks and a young player who put up huge numbers in college. I can see what Columbus is thinking, as the Blue Jackets are drowning in cap space (more than $35 million before this deal), and it's going to be a challenge in this free agent landscape to bring in one of the few big names. They also have an exciting young team that made a huge step last year, so trying to spend that money on reinforcements and depth makes sense. Both players are rebound candidates and likely playing down the lineup for Columbus, where they'll bring OK value. If it doesn't work out, Coyle is signed for only one more year anyway. Wood, meanwhile, has had a lot of injuries and the term on his deal — with four more years to go — could hurt, even though the cash is closer to $2 million than his $2.5 million AAV. (And Columbus is still working on getting to the floor.) All in all, it's not all that exciting for either party — but it could be setting the table for bigger things to come for both teams. — James Mirtle Avalanche grade: B+ Blue Jackets grade: C+ This is a telling deal when it comes to where the NHL market currently stands in two ways. One, the center market must be dry as a bone. Two, cap growth has led to some cap-hit blindness. To the first point, Coyle is the focal point of the deal, and the Blue Jackets are a better team with him on it. He gives Columbus a lot of versatility in the middle six as a plug-and-play center who can play wing if needed. While there isn't much about Coyle's game that stands out, there aren't a lot of holes either. He's by almost any account — scoring, play-driving, puck possession, offense, defense — an average player. That's a helpful addition to a team that had a lot of sub-standard players in the bottom six. Advertisement Coyle is also 33 and will probably fall a bit below average next season as a result; third-line calibre. At $5.25 million, that's a pricey ticket for what he likely brings to the table. And between Sean Monahan, Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger, a top-nine center wasn't exactly the most pressing need either. Columbus has a lot of cap space, making the price not too concerning, and you can never have enough centers. Still, the cost of acquisition shouldn't have been this high for what is effectively a cap dump. Which brings us to the cap-hit blindness and the Miles Wood of it all. It's possible Wood reignites his game with the Blue Jackets, but he's been a below-replacement-level player for two years in Colorado. Wood played in just one of seven playoff games for the Avalanche, and at 29, there's a big question of how much he has left to offer at the NHL level. With four years left at $2.5 million, it's unfathomable that the Avalanche were able to rid themselves of Wood's deal without any consequences. This is a deal that teams used to have to pay a heavy price to get out of — the Avalanche seemingly got an asset out of it. Even if Columbus was really enamoured with Wood (for whatever reason), the Blue Jackets completely let Colorado off the hook here. Just because the cap is going up doesn't mean that cap efficiency no longer matters. A bad deal is still a bad deal. This is an unbelievably good move for the Avalanche, who clear $7.75 million in cap space while getting a 2nd, 3rd and a prospect for two players that aren't worth their current cap hits — by a substantial degree. With that money freed up, the Avalanche can seriously load up. And while Columbus got a decent center for its trouble, the cost of doing so looks obscenely high. — Dominik Luszczyszyn Avalanche grade: A Blue Jackets grade: D (Photo of Charlie Coyle: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
