HEADLINES | Shaw, Pfeffer, Subban, St. Louis, Wheeler, Fleury, more

By
Christopher Nardella
-
0
176
Andrew Shaw
Andrew Shaw (Photo by CSN Chicago)

All Habs Headlines: Monday July 18, 2016
On this day in hockey history… 1997 — The Red Wings sign Scotty Bowman, who coached Detroit to the Cup in 1997, to a two-year contract to remain as coach. They also promote Ken Holland to general manager. 2006 — New York Islanders goaltender Garth Snow retires and is immediately named general manager.  1943 — Longtime NHL defenseman Don Awrey is born in Kitchener, Ontario.
Stay informed with All Habs Headlines, everything you need to know in one convenient location. Got a tip? Send us an email: [email protected] or tweet us: @AllHabs !

 

Andrew Shaw (Photo by CSN Chicago)

► Pfeffer: Weber is an Average NHL’er

  • Matt Pfeffer “made a passionate case in favour of P.K. Subban” to Canadiens management and a short time later found himself looking for work. The former analytics consultant for the Montreal Canadiens spoke to Ken Campbell of The Hockey News.
  • Campbell wrote that “Pfeffer believes the Canadiens are ultimately going to get fleeced on this trade.”
  • Perhaps making his bias all too obvious, Pfeffer called Shea Weber a “serviceable” defenceman adding, “There’s nothing wrong with being average in the NHL. An average NHL’er is worth a heck of a lot and that’s what Shea Weber is.”

► Shaw Will Be Missed in Windy City

  • Known for his unremitting style of play and genuine personality, the transaction that saw Andrew Shaw become a member of the Canadiens was, needless to say, one that caused some sleepless night among Blackhawks brass.
  • In an article for the Chicago Tribune, ‘Hawks president John McDonough aired his voice on the move “From the end of the season on, I had workers with hard hats screaming to me from the third floor, ‘Don’t trade (Andrew) Shaw’. Wherever you went, people that I would run into said the same thing.”
  • Shaw was a fan favourite on multiple levels “He had an organic grittiness that really struck a nerve with Chicagoans, maybe more than any athlete I’ve been associated with. He really resonated with everybody,”
  • “Not the most skilled player but the classic overachiever. He got under people’s skin. He represented what people wanted this franchise to embody.” he told journalist David Haugh.

► Subban Makes a Splash in Smashville

  • Ever the marketer, P.K. Subban did not arrive quietly for his introduction to Nashville.
  • Subban donned his yellow Preds jersey to sign autographs and pose for photos with Nashville fans.

Subban Nashville

  • Subban even stopped by Tootsie’s Bar to take the stage singing “Folsum Prison Blues.” P.K. told the crowd that it was Carey Price who turned him on to the music of Johnny Cash.

► Subban Tries Comedy

  • With the flummoxed nature of Canadiens fans still very present, P.K. Subban will look towards his first comedy gala on August 1st for the Montreal Children’s Hospital with the same sense of community.
  • “I’m now a Nashville Predator, but that doesn’t change the relationships I’ve built up with so many people during my time in Montreal,” he told the Montreal Gazette. “These are lifetime relationships, not just hockey relationships, either.”
  • Subban continued on the topic “But my most solid relationship is with the hospital, the children there, the doctors and nurses. My name will be in that atrium for a lifetime, and my commitment to the hospital will remain as strong as ever.”
  • Despite no longer being a member of the Montreal Canadiens organization Subban has publicly stated that his commitment to the hospital will be unwavering.

► St. Louis Content With Retirement

  • Former Steve Yzerman hand-cuffer Martin St. Louis was recently interviewed by Cutler Klein of NHL.com to discuss his first full season not playing professional hockey.
  • The former Lightning captain is enjoying the opportunity to coach his kids”I think, even for their age, I get the chance to analyze the game itself and try to teach them the right thing, depending on the age level I’m coaching,” he said. “I try to put the kids in the position for them to be successful.”
  • “I love the coaching aspect and the competitiveness,” he said. “I’ve always said I love playing the game, and I think watching my kids play is more fun than actually playing the game myself. That’s when I know I’ve made the right choice.” said the diminutive former Art Ross winner.
  • St. Louis retired last season following his second season as a member of the New York Rangers franchise, in which he recorded his 1,000th point with a 52 point output in his final season.

► Wheeler’s Approach To Remain The Same

  • The Winnipeg Jets are one of six teams that are currently in need of a captain, with the departure of Andrew Ladd. The clear choice for the NHL’s most recently moved franchise is current assistant captain Blake Wheeler.
  • Despite the possible honour, Wheeler tells the Winnipeg Free Press, his mentality won’t change despite the potential honour.
  • “Regardless of what letter I have on my jersey, my role on the team and who I am with the team is not going to change,” said Wheeler. “I think last year was a big growing year for me, with foot on the gas the whole time.”
  • During a year of regression for Manitoba’s sole NHL team, Wheeler recorded career-highs in assists and points with 52 and 78, playing in every painstaking game the Jets took part in last season.
  • Since the 2009-10 season the former fifth overall pick of the then Phoenix Coyotes has only taken part in the post season once, when the Jets were swept by the Anaheim Ducks.

► Fleury Looking To Land A Spot

  • The Carolina Hurricanes are firmly committed to building through he draft, further enhancing their farm systems with the selections of Jake Bean and Julien Gauthier this season, and a former first rounder is vying for a roster spot this season.
  • Haydn Fleury has emerged as a frontrunner to capture the open spot on the ‘Canes defensive core, littered with phenomenal talent, and is completely aware of the opportunity.
  • “Ever since Wisniewski was bought out, that’s the only thing that’s been on my mind,” Fleury told NHL.com. “It’s extra motivation for me in the gym and on the ice the rest of this summer.”
  • Carolina head coach Bill Peters will look for Fleury to establish himself and win a spot this season “He will lead the way here for these kids, then he will come back to camp and fight for a job on our team,” the team’s head coach said.
  • Last season the former seventh overall pick scored 12 goals and recorded 41 points in 54 games in Red Deer of the WHL, wearing an “A” for the entirety of the season.

► Boeser Focused On Leadership, His Development

  • Vancouver Canucks prospect Brock Boeser being unsigned is, understandably, garnering some uneasiness throughout the Canucks fan base, however him not signing is motivated by a pure want to return to the Unviersity of North Dakota, not ulterior motives.
  • In a piece on NHL.com, Boeser outlines how both he and the Canucks had the same thinking process “Obviously the thought is there[To sign an NHL contract], but as soon as our season ended, we were all on the same page,” Boeser said.
  • “My family, the North Dakota coaches, the Canucks organization, we all felt another year can benefit me in a big way, just from growing, being more mature and taking on another role,” noted the UND sniper.
  • With unrestricted free agency becoming a more prevalent option for NHL draft picks, one can never be sure a college player won’t take that route, however Boeser seems to be committed to Vancouver, or maybe that’s my naïvety.
  • With unrestricted free agency becoming a more prevalent option for NHL draft picks, one can never be sure a college player won’t take that route, however Boeser seems to be committed to Vancouver, or maybe that’s my naïvety.
New at All Habs Hockey Magazine
In case you missed it! Catch up on recently-published stimulating, original content.
All-Habs_Logo with website [wp_rss_multi_importer category=”3″ thisfeed=”8″ showdate=”0″]

 Follow @AllHabs and @chrnarhabs on Twitter

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR