‘Talks continue’ between Flames, Cammalleri

By Mike HalfordJun 24, 2014, 1:23 PM EDT

While going to free agency on July 1 seems likely, Mike Cammalleri is still engaged in conversation about re-upping with the Calgary Flames.

“No update other than talks continue,” GM Brad Treliving said, per the Calgary Sun. “It’s an interesting time for [UFAs like Cammalleri]. They’ve earned this right.

“I liken it to the old high school dance. You ask one girl and she says, ‘Yeah, maybe, but let me go check with the other guys and see what they’ve got to offer.’ I’ve extended my dance card and am just waiting to see if somebody will accept. I understand it.”

Cammalleri — who, along with Thomas Vanek and Matt Moulson represent arguably the three best goalscoring wingers in free agency — has been an interesting figure within the Flames organization for a while. Despite being pegged as a sure-fire move at the deadline, Cammalleri wasn’t shipped out of Calgary and there were thoughts that retaining him was a potential precursor to resigning.

In some ways, keeping the 32-year-old in the fold would make sense. On an inexperienced team that overachieved last season, Cammalleri was a catalyst — he led all scorers with 26 goals and finished the year notching eight points in his final seven games, proving to be a good veteran presence among the youngsters.

From the Flames website:

There is no doubt that making your NHL debut is a nerve-wracking experience but Bill Arnold and Johnny Gaudreau got a bit of a reprieve from the anxiety thanks to Mike Cammalleri.

Last weekend, the veteran made a point of spending time with the pair of rookies prior to suiting up for their first NHL game in Vancouver. He spotted them sitting down for supper alone and made his way over to eat with them.

“We kind of just shot it. He went to Michigan, he’s a college guy. He talked about his days at Michigan and just told us to go out there and play our game,” Arnold said. “When you have a veteran like that come over and just talk to you, kind of settle you down, it really helps out a ton.”

So there’s that. Thing is, the Flames have already once offered Cammalleri an extension — which he turned down. It’s possible his desire to head to free agency will continue to outweigh whatever Calgary puts on the table.

NCAA on NBCSN — Frozen Fenway: No. 6 Boston College vs. No. 14 Notre Dame

By Joe YerdonJan 4, 2014, 9:30 AM EDT

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NBCSN continues its coverage of the 2013-14 college hockey season tonight when the No. 6 Boston College Eagles (12-4-2) host the No. 14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-7-1) at Fenway Park in Boston with coverage starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium won’t be the only outdoor hockey game with ties to college this week. It’s time for Frozen Fenway in Boston and the main event features a pair of powerhouse teams in Boston College and Notre Dame.

With BC involved, there’s plenty of talent to go around (10 NHL draft picks) but the biggest name is one of the smallest players in junior forward Johnny Gaudreau (pictured).

Gaudreau, a fourth-round pick by the Calgary Flames in 2011, is second in the nation in points with 33. His 15 goals put him behind just RPI junior forward Ryan Haggerty in that category. The remarkable part is he’s done all this in 18 games.

What makes BC scary is they’re not a one-player show. Seniors Kevin Hayes (Blackhawks) and Bill Arnold (Flames) are right there with Gaudreau in points and freshman Ryan Fitzgerald (Bruins – son of former NHLer Tom Fitzgerald) has arrived on the scene in a big way with 18 points.

The bad news for the Fighting Irish? BC is on a tear heading into the game. The Eagles have won four in a row and have outscored opponents 21-5 over that stretch. Aside from a couple of hiccup losses on the road to Maine and at home against Holy Cross, the Eagles have been more than worthy of their No. 6 ranking.

Notre Dame heads into the game having won just two out of the past six games. They’ve been off for almost a full month due to the holidays and finals and coach Jeff Jackson is hoping the time off will help them rebound.

Senior T.J. Tynan (Blue Jackets) has led the team with 15 points and sophomore forward Mario Lucia (Wild) leads in goals with nine. Offense has been a problem and they’ll have to go without freshman Vince Hinostroza (Blackhawks) who’s away with Team USA’s World Junior team.

That could spell trouble for the Irish as BC’s had strong goaltending this year. If the Irish want to surprise the Eagles, they’ll need senior Steven Summerhays to continue his strong play (9-6-1/.931/1.89). With an attack like BC has and the buzz that will be in the air at Fenway for this game, it sets the bar high for Summerhays to get the job done.

NHL Draftees

Boston College — Forwards: Johnny Gaudreau (JR – Flames), Bill Arnold (SR – Flames), Kevin Hayes (SR – Blackhawks), Ryan Fitzgerald (FR – Bruins), Adam Gilmour (FR – Wild), Chris Calnan (FR – Blackhawks)

Defensemen: Ian McCoshen (FR – Panthers – at WJCs), Michael Matheson (SO – Panthers), Isaac MacLeod (SR – Sharks), Steve Santini (FR – Devils – at WJCs), Chris Calnan (FR – Blackhawks)

Notre Dame — Forwards: Vince Hinostroza (FR – Blackhawks – at WJCs), T.J. Tynan (SR – Blue Jackets), Austin Wuthrich (JR – Capitals), Bryan Rust (SR – Penguins), Jeff Costello (SR – Senators), Mario Lucia (SO – Wild), Steven Fogarty (SO – Rangers), Thomas DiPauli (SO – Capitals – at WJCs)

Defense: Robbie Russo (JR – Islanders), Stephen Johns (SR – Blackhawks), Kevin Lind (SR – Ducks)

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PHT Morning Skate: 50 days until opening night

By Joe YerdonAug 12, 2013, 8:25 AM EDT

PHT’s Morning Skate takes a look around the world of hockey to see what’s happening and what we’ll be talking about around the NHL world and beyond.

Yeah, that’s Michael Handzus with the Stanley Cup back in his home country of Slovakia. It draws a crowd everywhere it goes. (Getty)

Just to help you through the doldrums of summer, here’s your light at the end of the tunnel: There are 50 days left until opening night.

On to the news…

Stars GM Jim Nill calls Sergei Gonchar the “forgotten man” and thinks he’ll spark Dallas’ power play. (Dallas Stars)

The likely new owners of the Devils are being viewed as guys who will build up the current team, not rip it apart. You mean their roster can be decimated further?! (Star-Ledger)

Flames prospect Bill Arnold is catching the eyes of one scout at Boston College. (Calgary Flames)

Senators owner Eugene Melnyk is talking more about the team facing a new financial reality. Gulp. (Senators Extra)

Finally, a sad note to pass along. Arizona Republic writer and Coyotes beat reporter Jim Gintonio passed away last night following a battle with cancer.

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Tonight on NBCSN: Hockey East playoffs — No. 5 Boston College hosts Vermont

By Joe YerdonMar 15, 2013, 12:26 PM EDT

It’s Game One of the Hockey East quarterfinals and this is when Jerry York’s Eagles usually start to shine.

Boston College Eagles (20-10-4) vs. Vermont Catamounts (11-17-6) – 7:00 p.m. ET

Season series: Boston College went 2-0-1 against Vermont

Things didn’t quite go how BC expected them to. They’ve become accustomed to finishing high atop the Hockey East standings when the regular season ends. This time around they are but the No. 2 team behind UMass-Lowell it what turned out to be a very close race for No. 1. Don’t let that fool you into thinking there’s something wrong with these Eagles.

Boston College can score plenty of goals. Calgary Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau (pictured) finished the regular season tops in points with 46 including 18 goals. Senior forward Steven Whitney has been just as dangerous as well scoring 24 goals and finishing with 41 points. BC also boasts two more players with over 30 points (Pat Mullane and Flames prospect Bill Arnold) and junior Blackhawks prospect Kevin Hayes is nearly there himself.

When you compare that to what Vermont has, it makes the Catamounts pale in comparison. Junior forward Chris McCarthy is their only player with 30 points and he leads the team in goals with 13. He’s also their only double-digit goal scorer so far this season. Sophomore forwards Jacob Fallon and Kyle Reynolds are their only other two players with 20 or more points.

If Vermont stands a chance of pulling a huge upset, they’ll need freshman goalie Brody Hoffman to play out of his mind while sustaining the BC attack. They’re also going to need help from Eagles senior netminder Parker Milner in hoping he’s not-so sharp. Vermont was able to score on him a bit during last weekend’s final games earning a 4-4 tie on Friday night, but they’ll have to forget about the 7-2 drubbing they took the following night.

If there’s anything that can help Vermont it’s that Boston College hasn’t dominated at home this year going just 9-5-2 at Conte Forum and just 7-5-1 in Hockey East games. All that said, this is the time of year when we start to see the best out of Jerry York’s teams, don’t expect that to change this weekend.

Back to Class: Boston College was just too good

By Joe YerdonApr 9, 2012, 7:49 AM EDT

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We’re taking you “Back To Class” for our roundup of the final weekend of action in college hockey this season. Look for more college hockey action next season on NBCSN.

If you’re the type to fill out brackets for the NCAA men’s hockey tournament and you picked Boston College to go all the way, you were a very smart person. Sure, picking chalk doesn’t do much for thrills and excitement, but when it comes to the tournament, there’s no coach better at finishing the job than Jerry York.

York won his fifth national championship, fourth time with Boston College, on Saturday as BC handily disposed of a very game Ferris State squad 4-1. Yes, Ferris State was within a goal of tying things up as late as four minutes left in the game, but the Eagles did what they always seem to do under York’s leadership: They finished the job and skated away with the glory.

Shining through all of it was Calgary Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau whose late third period goal was the highlight-reel icing on the cake for BC. Gaudreau along with goalie Parker Milner (pictured) stole the show and gave York yet another jewel in his crown as college hockey’s best coach.

What’s amazing is that York’s teams have been a fixture in the tournament since he got to Chestnut Hill in 1994 and he’s only been named national coach of the year once in his career. I think he’ll take the four titles at BC over personal accolades just fine, but watching the teams he assembles continue to get it done in big spots is incredible.

It makes life a little easier having future NHLers like defenseman Brian Dumoulin (Carolina prospect and future NHL stud) and forward Chris Kreider (Rangers) and Bill Arnold (Calgary), but ultimately it’s what York does to bring it all together.

Sure Ferris State, Minnesota, and Union College all came into the Frozen Four on even ground with equal chances to take home the title, but with York leading the Eagles everyone else was starting at a disadvantage thanks to his success and experience at this level.

The lesson from this tournament, as always, is that when Boston College comes in on fire (BC closed the season on a 19-game winning streak) it’s going to take an extraordinary effort to knock them off. While the other three Frozen Four teams had great runs into the national semifinals, BC’s destiny wasn’t going to be interrupted by anyone.