The Hockey News Meet The New Guy Issue

IVAN ‘CHING’ JOHNSON DID not start playing elite-level hockey until he was 21. Instead, like many youngsters of the era, he enlisted in the army as a teenager, in 1916, at the same age as today’s players get drafted into the NHL, and went to war. Voluntarily. During his tenure in service, the NHL was born. History tells us the First World War was brutally shocking to young men seeking valor. They were exposed to a new-age conflict in which technologically advanced killing machines, trench warfare and deadly gas were among the scourges that made life on the fields of Europe hell. There was no glamor living among rats and lice, forever anticipating shelling, watching scores of friends and battalion mates get obliterated in campaigns that came to be known as…

Dear readers, The biggest acquisition in free agency this year wasn’t John Tavares or James van Riemsdyk. The most important signing took place on Jan. 27, when I officially purchased The Hockey News. Well, it’s the most significant deal in my world. It has long been my dream to own the iconic publication, and to help breathe new life into it. THN’s editorial team learned of the change in ownership the same day I took over. They were in Tampa Bay to cover the 2018 NHL All-Star Game when I walked into a restaurant and introductions were made. At first, when Ken Campbell asked me to get him a Diet Coke, the writers and editors thought I was the waiter. From that surprising first meeting, the entire staff has been as juiced…

The Coyotes. Re-signed two key members of the defense corps in Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Trade for Alex Galchenyuk and signing of Michael Grabner gives them the consistent scoring threats they’ve been needing for years. Added more depth to their farm system in the draft. Look for a potential playoff run. – @Quinny3LTD Obvious answer, but the Toronto Maple Leafs, as they landed their hometown franchise center John Tavares. Their one-two punch down the middle will be in consideration for the best center corps in the league. Auston Matthews won’t have to worry about playing the top defense pair of the opposing team 24/7. Tavares and Matthews will now have less pressure on them from their prior season, thus meaning better offensive hockey. The new powerhouse of the Eastern Conference:…

THE START OF FREE agency was a wild ride, wasn’t it? John Tavares dominated the conversation, but a lot of names were in the mix, from James van Riemsdyk returning to Philadelphia to Ryan McDonagh and Logan Couture inking long-term extensions with Tampa Bay and San Jose, respectively. So which teams won and which lost? Let’s take a look at the early action on 2018 free agency. WINNERS TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Well, no kidding, right? The Maple Leafs won the Tavares sweepstakes, convincing one of the top centers in the NHL to come back to his hometown team for the next seven years at an $11-million AAV. Tavares gives the Leafs two lethal scoring lines, with Auston Matthews centering the other and third-line pivot Nazem Kadri on shutdown duty. Though nothing has been established…

MARTIN BRODEUR | ROOKIE GOALIE PADS The Calgary Flames entered the 1990 NHL draft thinking about succession planning behind 27-year-old starting goalie Mike Vernon. When highly ranked phenom – and Western Canada-born – Trevor Kidd slipped outside the top 10, GM Cliff Fletcher got on the phone. He arranged a deal with New Jersey GM Lou Lamoriello that had the Flames acquire the 11th overall selection and a second-round pick in exchange for the 20th overall choice and two second-round picks. Kidd was the next big thing, and Calgary grabbed him at No. 11. The Devils were set in goal with Sean Burke, 23, and Chris Terreri, 25. As well, 23-year-old Craig Billington was a standout for New Jersey’s farm team. Lamoriello had no intention of taking Kidd. But when it came time…

HOCKEY’S THIRSTIEST MAN JOE THORNTON It took Dave Andreychuk and Ray Bourque a record 22 seasons to hoist the Stanley Cup, and ‘Jumbo,’ 39, enters his 21st Cup-free campaign. Time is running out. Same goes for his old buddy Patrick Marleau, also commencing Year 21 of his drought. THE ARCHITECT’S FINISHING TOUCH DAVID POILE Widely regarded as a mastermind GM, Poile has only taken a team to the Stanley Cup final twice in 36 seasons running the Capitals and Predators. He’s the winningest GM in league history. Surely he has an NHL title in him one of these years. NICE GUYS FINISH LAST ROBERTO LUONGO If we could just award the Cup to the friendliest guy in the biz, Luongo would be on the short list. Everyone wants to see him hoist the chalice. He’s a future Hall…