Montreal Canadiens
- Spotlight on Andrei Markov, who’s been quietly having a great month. [RDS] (French)
- Before Torrey Mitchell came to Montreal, ex-captain Brian Gionta told him that he enjoyed it there and that it will be “better than Buffalo”. [La Presse]
- TSN Hockey Analyst Aaron Ward joins Leafs Lunch to reminisce about their old days in the league (there’s at least fives solid minutes about smuggling beer on the team bus) and to talk about the Habs’ chances in the East. [TSN 690]
- How does Bergevin approach trade deadline day? Keep in mind that the gap between the two Eastern wild-card teams is 9 points. That’s wider than the gap between the first wild-card team and the first-place Montreal Canadiens. “There isn’t a handful of contenders as there have been in years past; there is a whole class of them, good teams that are much better than the laggards, but that have precious little separation from each other.” [Sportsnet]
Around the League and Elsewhere
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“Among the changes to this year’s NHL broadcasts, Canadians say the games have a “hipper” feel, especially with millennials, according to the results of a recent study.” Wow, Rogers, wow. [Sportsnet] (note: thank you to habnonymous for the link)
- A neat summary of teams’ Score-Adjusted Corsi heading into playoff season. [B Sports]
- Mike Ribeiro‘s former nanny in Texas is suing him for sexual assault. The woman revealed she had only recently graduated from high school when the claimed assault took place. [CBC]
- Retired referee Paul Stewart with some funny anecdotes, asking for some empathy for the tough guy. [Huffington Post]
- A League Full of Professionals, in Actions if Not in Pay: a.k.a. CWHL players really deserve some money for their work, everyone. [The New York Times]
Stars like Hilary Knight and Brianna Decker, who a year ago played in the classic Olympic final against Canada, earn training stipends as members of the United States national team, have sponsorships and do not need part-time jobs to supplement their income. But most of their teammates have to buy their own sticks and skates. After games, all the players wash their own gear at home.
The players are cognizant of the locker room dichotomy. Knight said she tried to help supply a teammate if a stick broke. Decker said she respected the extra effort of her less heralded cohorts, like Jillian Dempsey, who wakes up at 5:15 a.m. to prepare for her job as a second-grade teacher.
“I give them more credit than myself,” Decker said.
- Arizona Coyotes don old school jerseys for Throwback Night. Surprised to hear trash talk from the team that used to wear these.
Reminder: Do not adjust your television sets, the @ArizonaCoyotes are actually wearing these tonight… pic.twitter.com/P4CQ57Tra3
— Vancouver Canucks (@VanCanucks) March 6, 2015
