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No Offense Oilers, but Defense Will Win you a Cup

TUNDRA_News | 15 May 2024

Evan Bouchard celebrating the game-winning goal in the final minute of Game 4. SOURCE EDMONTON OILERS (TWITTER/X) The subplot to this game and the underlying theme of this series was the Oilers' defense coming to play. They limited the Canucks to only two goals and shut them out through two periods of play. The Oilers are led by their offense and it’s what gave them the second-best record in the Pacific Division as they averaged 3.56 goals per game this season. Now, the defense is leading them in a hard-fought series and is the reason they might end up winning the Stanley Cup. How The Oilers Won With Defense The Oilers limited the shots on the net in the recent game. Calvin Pickard was the pleasant surprise as he started the game in the net, replacing starter Stuart Skinner but the defensive unit won the game. They limited the Canucks to only 21 shots on goal. The Oilers played the shooting lanes and were willing to block shots with Bouchard and Mattias Ekholm leading the way, combining for five blocked shots in the game. The performance was impressive but it’s important to keep in mind that it’s been happening all season. It’s what makes this Oilers team a unique one that is capable of going on a Cup run. The Knoblauch Effect Kris Knoblauch was hired early on in the season, replacing Jay Woodcroft as the head coach. His impact on the team has been monumental. He balanced out their play and more importantly, made them a more sound team defensively. The Oilers allowed only 2.88 goals per game this season in part because they played a tighter game with the defensemen playing the shooting lanes in their zone. Pair that with a great offense led by superstars Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Zach Hyman and this team looks like a contender. Connor McDavid. SOURCE: EDMONTON OILERS (TWITTER/X) Championship-caliber teams win in multiple ways and the Oilers proved they can do that, not just this season but within the Second Round as well. They won Game 4-3 and they clawed away with their recent win 3-2. Where The Oilers Must Go From Here The Oilers have all the pieces in place to win the Stanley Cup but to do so, they must see the entire team step up in the two-way game. That starts with McDavid. He’s the best player in the NHL and is a certain Hall of Famer. The one thing missing in his remarkable career in a Cup title. He’s a great scorer and while he steps up defensively, he needs to stand out on the defensive end of the ice. McDavid must control the center of the ice and limit passing lanes. Likewise, he must use possession to his advantage as he can control the puck and keep it away from the Canucks and thus use offense as a way of playing defense. The series is becoming a defense-first, grind-it-out one, and he must embrace it to help the Oilers advance.

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Wyatt Johnston: The Rising Star

TUNDRA_News | 14 May 2024

Wyatt Johnston has seven goals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. There’s only one other skater on the Dallas Stars with four. Johnston found the back of the net twice in Game 4 of the Second Round and is emerging as one of those elite young skaters in the NHL. Wyatt Johnston turned 21 on Tuesday and as an early birthday present, he found the back of the net twice in a 5-1 victory. SOURCE: DALLAS STARS (TWITTER/X) He just turned 21 and for many hockey fans, this is the first they are hearing of him. But make no mistake, Johnston is one of the best scorers in the league, netting 32 goals this season and 56 in only two seasons in the NHL. So, let’s look at what makes him a dynamic scorer. Johnston’s Stats &“It” Factor It’s one thing to look at his seven goals in the playoffs and team-leading 32 during the season and be impressed. It’s another to look at how he’s scoring and the ways he can beat a defense. Johnston knows where his bread is buttered. Meaning, that he often waits around the goal and waits for the puck to find him. 12 of his 32 goals this season came from the “high-danger” area or the area right in front of the net. However, he’s more than just a finisher. Johnston can find the back of the net with his shooting and ability to find open ice in the offensive zone. Likewise, he’ll use his speed when needed to create scoring opportunities and gash a team on the rush. Johnston is a well-rounded scorer and it’s something the Stars are going to take advantage of. Johnston’s Ceiling with the Stars Every generation, there is an Alexander Ovechkin or an Auston Matthews. Essentially, a skater who is elite largely because of their scoring instincts. Johnston is the next in line. He has a nose for the goal. The Stars have a 3-1 series lead over the Colorado Avalanche and look poised to advance out of the Western Conference, They are a complete team and have no weaknesses. They also have star-caliber players and none better than their 21-year-old forward Johnston who might end up winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as the playoffs MVP.

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Fink: With Fat Trimmed, The Playoffs Are Great!

TUNDRA_News | 13 May 2024

The Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, to an extent, has reached the halfway point. Every series has played at least three games and the Eastern Conference matchups are getting ready for Game 5. This is a good time to have a retrospective on the playoffs and look at the bigger picture. Sam Bennett scores the game-winner in Game 4, a goal that would stand after being reviewed. SOURCE: FLORIDA PANTHERS (TWITTER/X) In this Monday morning column, we’ll look at the following things. ● Since the NHL removed the awful teams, the playoffs have been great with plenty of entertaining games. ● The Boston Bruins & Florida Panthers have provided a great rematch, one that has lived up to the hype. ● The New York Rangers transactions helped put them in a prime position to win the Cup. ● Lafreniere & other quick notes. The cliche is that there’s nothing like playoff hockey and this season has been no exception. The thing is that this year’s playoffs have been different compared to previous ones and so far, it’s been for the best. Second Round Matchups > First Round Matchups Typically, the First Round is the best round in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, at least from a public eye perspective. 16 fanbases have a vested interest, the teams are healthiest, and every night has three or more games broadcasted back-to-back-to-back. This season, however, the First Round was a dud with only two of the eight matchups going seven games and five of them ending in five games or earlier. The matchups were awful because frankly a lot of teams backed their way into the playoffs. ● The Tampa Bay Lightning had a defense well below average, allowing 3.26 goals per game, ● The New York Islanders stumbled into the third seed in the Eastern Conference but were below league average in both offense (2.99 goals per game) and defense (3.15 goals per game). ● The Washington Capitals backdoored their way into the playoffs with a -37 goal differential. The three teams above were the final three to make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference and they all got smoked in the First Round. The Capitals particularly were swept and scored only seven goals in the four games. The Rangers easily defeated the Capitals in the First Round, a matchup between the best and worst teams in the playoffs. SOURCE: NEW YORK RANGERS (TWITTER/X) The good news is that now that the “fat” is trimmed, the playoffs are a must-watch. Even with some matchups becoming lopsided, every game is decided by one goal, one shift, or a play that could easily flip the result. The 2024 playoffs are a reminder that despite the urge to expand the playoffs, there’s no need. There are already too many teams that qualify for the playoffs and adding more would simply be a sign of greed (so expect the NHL to do it). Bruins-Panthers: A Rematch & A Brewing Rivalry Last year, the Bruins and Panthers met in a First Round for the ages. The series went the distance and Game 7 went into overtime, making it the 47th Game 7 to be decided by a sudden-death overtime goal (the best possible ending to a game and a series). The Panthers both knocked out the Presidents’ Trophy Bruins with a series victory and went on a run that was them reach the Stanley Cup Final afterward. This rematch is somehow living up to the hype. Only four games have been played yet there are plenty of memorable moments. From the big hits to the fights to Aleksander Barkov’s goal in Game 4, to the controversial goal in the same game that saw the Panthers sneak away with a 3-2 win. The only problem is that this series could end early. The Panthers have a 3-1 series lead and can close things out with a win on their home ice. Then again, this series is far from over. Just ask the Bruins, who had a 3-1 series lead a year ago, about how over it is. The Rangers Build Around The Salary Cap The New York Rangers entered the season with no cap space and minimal room to upgrade the roster. Yet, they won the Presidents’ Trophy and built the best team in hockey. How’d they do it? The first thing they did was sign veterans in free agency for bargain prices. In free agency, they signed Blake Wheeler, Erik Gustafsson, and Jonathan Quick, adding stability to the forward unit, the defense, and goaltending. The three players cost a total of $2.4 Million. Erik Gustafsson was one of the Rangers best defensemen this season and rounded out the unit. SOURCE: NEW YORK RANGERS (TWITTER/X) At the trade deadline, they took a similar approach. They acquired Alex Wennberg and Jack Roslovic, two depth forwards, and they only gave up a second-round pick in the 2025 draft and two conditional fourth-round picks. At a minimum cost, they added five players to a roster that already had a great core in place. Gustafsson and Roslovic are particularly helping out the Rangers in the playoffs as they’ve rounded out the roster and added a boost to the later lines and pairings. It’s moves like these that Cup contenders make and the Rangers did it. Now, they have a comfortable 3-1 series lead and are poised to compete for the Stanley Cup. Quick Hits ● Alexis Lafreniere has four goals and six assists in the playoffs with all four of those goals coming in the Second Round. It took a few years for the 2020 number one overall pick to develop into a star but the 22-year-old forward is having a breakout season and becoming a key scorer for the Rangers. ● The Dallas Stars had eight skaters score 20 goals or more this season. The scoring distribution has spread to the playoffs as well with four skaters already finding the back of the net three times and eight already scoring twice. Seems to work as they have a 2-1 series lead. ● Valeri Nichushkin has nine goals in the playoffs and only one assist. It’s one of the oddities stat-wise but says a lot about the Colorado Avalanche issues. They need their depth skaters to play with more versatility if they hope to beat the Stars, who lead the series 2-1. ● In the First Round, 20 of the 44 games were decided by one goal. In the Second Round so far nine of the 12 games were decided by one goal. You don’t need to be a mathematician to figure out how close this round’s matchups are.

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Maple Leafs Firing Keefe Won’t Fix Underlying Issues

TUNDRA_News | 9 May 2024

The big news of the day is that the Toronto Maple Leafs fired their head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team failed to make it to the Second Round and after only one playoff series victory in his tenure, it was time for a change. The Toronto Maple Leafs former head coach Sheldon Keefe was fired on Thursday, May 9th. SOURCE: SPORTSNET (TWITTER/X) The firing is a reminder of all the heartbreak and tough stretches the Maple Leafs have gone through and are about to deal with as they endure another coaching cycle. This is a franchise that has dealt with a lot both in the past and present. The Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup in 1967. It’s the longest title drought in NHL History. They have won only one series in the last nine playoff appearances and until last season, they had a playoff series drought dating back to 2004. They are 0-6 in Game Seven and 0-7 in winner-takes-all games. The Keefe firing felt inevitable as this team needed a new head coach and a new identity. They’ll get one but don’t expect things to improve now that Keefe is out. The Roster is By Design a Problem The Maple Leafs “Core Four” consists of Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander. All four skaters are stars in their own right but they take up a large amount of the team’s salary cap. William Nylander celebrating a goal in Game Six of the First Round, a series the Maple Leafs lost. SOURCE: TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (TWITTER/X) The big issue is that all four skaters are forwards. It’s hard to build a contending roster around four forwards and not invest elsewhere. They always have a good offense to lead them but the depth, defense, and goaltending have always been an issue. It shows in the playoffs. Until they build the core with key players at other positions, the Maple Leafs will run into the same problems time and time again. They have a good enough team, led by four scorers, to make the playoffs but they are far from winning the Cup. Keefe’s Replacement Had Tough Shoes to Fill For as much criticism as Keefe got, he was a good head coach. No coach is under more pressure than the one in Toronto, the center of the hockey universe, and he was a calm and steady presence behind the bench. Sure things didn’t work out in the playoffs and he will be judged by his mismanagement in those First Round matchups. However, he helped the team consistently reach the playoffs and put them in a position to succeed. The question is who the Maple Leafs can hire that will be better than Keefe? There are a lot of head coaches available but it’s hard to find one who can get this team over the hump. More importantly, it will be hard to find someone who contrasts with Keefe in a way that says this team is heading in a better direction. What Comes Next For The Maple Leafs? The first thing the Maple Leafs must do is get the hire right. They are willing to spend big for their next head coach but they must find someone who both keeps the roster balanced and motivates a team that is becoming a veteran-heavy one. Then come the roster changes, something that will interesting to watch with Brad Treliving in his second year as the team’s general manager. This is team that must pivot and try to build around their core while also finding a different identity on the ice. All eyes will be on Marner and Tavares. They are the two skaters the Maple Leafs can move on from within the next two seasons or at least make sure they aren’t taking up too much cap space. Both forwards will affect the rest of the offseason moves but the next task after that is fishing the defense, specifically, the later pairings, and adding a reliable starting goaltender. All this to say, it’s going to be a long summer in Toronto. Buckle up!

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Avalanche-Stars: Hope You Like Fireworks!

TUNDRA_News | 8 May 2024

The series between the Colorado Avalanche and the Dallas Stars was expected to be a back-and-forth one with more than enough exciting moments. One game in and it’s already exceeding the hype. In case you were asleep, here’s a rundown of the first game. ● The Stars jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one period of play. ● The Avalanche scored two goals in the second period and one in the third to force overtime. ● The Avalanche took the game in overtime and completed the comeback with a Miles Wood goal on the rush. The Avalanche skaters celebrating the win after Game One. SOURCE: COLORADO AVALANCHE (TWITTER/X) Words fail to describe the moments, so here’s what the last goal looked like. Keep in mind that Wood is one of the depth players, not a superstar by any means. WOOD YA LOOK AT THAT! pic.twitter.com/Yx73CfWWtd — Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 8, 2024 Expect this series to not only have plenty of fireworks but also be a clash in styles. The Avalanche and the Stars have built Cup contenders yet have taken different approaches to end up where they are. Avalanche Are a Flawed Team & It Doesn’t Matter The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022 with a complete roster, one with stars leading the way and depth skaters stepping up as well. This team is not the same, not even close. The depth is non-existent. Yet, this team remains one of the best in the NHL. Why? They have four of the top 20 skaters in the NHL. Devon Toews is one of the best defensemen in the league and he’s the fourth-best on his own team. Mikko Rantanen is one of the best forwards and is overlooked. Meanwhile, Nathan MacKinnon is a Hart Trophy finalist and Cale Makar is a Norris Trophy finalist. Cale Makar just as overtime begins. He scored a goal and added two assists in Game One. SOURCE: COLORADO AVALANCHE (TWITTER/X) They are the definition of a top-heavy roster and the results showed this season. The Avalanche went 50-25-7 to finish in third place in the division. MacKinnon carried the offense with 51 goals and 89 assists while Makar made a difference on both ends of the ice with 21 goals and 69 assists but also 4.1 defensive point shares and 148 blocked shots. The Avalanche aren’t a well-built team but have the stars to bail them out and they have. Stars Have Star Power & Depth There’s a reason the Stars finished the season with a 52-21-9 record which was the best record in the Western Conference. They were a machine with no glaring weakness. Just one stat that speaks volumes (there are a lot of them) is that they had eight skaters score 20 goals or more. Their offense is led by Jason Robertson, a rising star in the league at 24 years old, while the defense is anchored by Thomas Harley and Miro Heiskanen. Throw is 20-year-old scorer Wyatt Johnston and the Stars have four core players who are 25 or younger leading the way. Jake Oettinger (29), Ty Dellandrea (10), and Matt Duchene (95) are all catching a breather in game One. SOURCE: DALLAS STARS (TWITTER/X) But this isn’t a team highlighted by their elite talent. They have plenty of depth on both ends of the ice. The forward unit has veterans Joe Pavelski and Jamie Benn stepping up while the defense has Ese Lindell and Ryan Suter rounding out the unit. In the net, goaltender Jake Oettinger is the unquestioned starter but if needed, Scott Wedgewood can fill in as a backup. The only weakness all season was depth defense and they addressed that issue at the trade deadline. The Stars acquired veteran skater Chris Tanev in a trade and the unit has been dominant ever since, making the team look unbeatable. Game One as a Series Indicator We’re only one game into this series and there are a few things that stand out, aside from the fact that it will be fun to watch. Elite players will impact every shift and at any moment, any of them can take over the game. No lead is safe, something the Stars learned firsthand when they blew the 3-0 lead. On top of all that, there will be plenty of goals, so hopefully you like offense. Series Prediction The Avalanche took the first game and it’s easy to think that they will win this series as well. However, there are a few things working in the Stars' favor, and expect a rebound. The Stars have the depth advantage and as this series drags on, it will start to show. Alexandar Georgiev has stepped up in the net for the Avalanche, allowing only 11 goals in his last four starts but Oettinger is the better goaltender and eventually will take over this series. The elite players on the Stars haven’t made an impact in the playoffs yet and they are due. So, expect the Stars to still take this one in a hard-fought seven-game series.

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The Calder Race Will Be a Tale of Two Votes

TUNDRA_News | 7 May 2024

The NHL Award finalists are slowly being announced. The most exciting trophy race this season will be the Hart Trophy, the award given to the league’s MVP. For the first time in a while, was a four-player contest where Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Nikita Kucherov, and Nathan MacKinnon all made great cases for the award. The second-most exciting award contest is the Calder Trophy, the award given to the rookie of the year. It’s a two-player race with Brock Faber and Connor Bedard emerging as the two favorites to take home the award. The three finalists for the Calder Trophy Award. Luke Hughes was the throw-in as it’s a two-player race. SOURCE: NHL PUBLIC RELATIONS (TWITTER/X) Here’s a rundown of the two finalists: Connor Bedard: ● Since his high school days, Bedard was labeled as the next great one. A generational talent who many saw as being the next Wayne Gretzky, Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, you get the point. He’s one of those players who is expected to turn a franchise into a perennial contender. ● In his first season with the Chicago Blackhawks, he battled injuries and missed 14 games while the team went 23-53-6 to finish in last place in the Central Division. Safe to say, it takes time to turn one of the worst teams into a contender, even if you are one of the best. ● Bedard still led his team in goals (22) and assists (39) while proving to be one of the most exciting players in the league as well. His speed, great passing, and offensive skills were on full display and proved that he’s ready to take the league by storm. Brock Faber: ● The Minnesota Wild had a season to forget, going 39-34-9 and missing the playoffs. Faber did not. The 21-year-old defenseman was one of the bright spots and established himself as one of the best defensemen in the NHL. ● Faber had 4.2 defensive point shares and 150 blocked shots while contributing eight goals and 39 assists on the offensive end of the ice but what made his season more impressive was that he still produced even with an overwhelming workload. He averaged 24:58 ice time and was only one of two skaters on the Wild to play in all 82 games. ● The Wild struggled on defense. They allowed 3.17 goals per game and the unit was a mess by midseason, forcing a coaching change and lots of movement on the unit. Through it all Faber powered through and continued to play at a high level and it makes him a building block for a team looking to contend next season. Why The Debate is Intriguing Most casual fans know about Bedard and his brilliance. He’s the player who goes hand-in-hand with the 2023 NHL Entry Draft and is the next face of the NHL. Faber is the type of player a fan only knows is good if they watch the NHL on a common basis. One finalist plays in Chicago, the other in Minnesota. One had all the hype heading into the season, the other stuck up on everyone. One is a constant on the highlight reels, the other makes an impact every night but his value often goes unnoticed. Brock Faber doesn’t get the same spotlight but will get his fair share of Calder votes. SOURCE: B/R OPEN ICE (TWITTER/X) This isn’t just a vote on a rookie of the year, this is a vote that will reflect the hockey landscape. The voters have an interesting debate on their hands and part of their decision will revolve around what they think matters for the winner. For some, it’s all about the production and the value a player brings to their team. For others, it’s about players you will remember from a given season or an era. It’s what makes the Bedard-Faber debate interesting. It’s not just a split between hockey fans but how voters think. How do you think should win the Calder Trophy?

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4 Reasons The NHL in Utah Will Fail

TUNDRA_News | 7 May 2024

The big story in the NHL that isn’t related to the playoffs has been the relocation of the Arizona Coyotes. After years of failing in the desert, the Coyotes are moving to Utah and will be under new ownership with Ryan Smith buying the team. A lot of signs point to a team in Utah being a success. There’s a fanbase eager for hockey, the owner, in this case Smith, is competent, and the new team will have some loot to make it work. These things always start with optimism, as they should but the problem that nobody seems to be acknowledging is that this is a project that can go wrong and possibly end as a disaster. The marketing campaign for the league’s relocation to Utah is in full swing. SOURCE: DELTA CENTER (TWITTER/X) While everyone is taking an optimistic approach to the relocation, let’s look at why this is a bad idea. 1) Salt Lake City’s Population Problem ● There’s a good reason the NHL is branding this as Utah and not Salt Lake City even though the team will be located in that city. The population of the city is under 200,000 people and it will be the least-populated city in the league (Winnipeg previously held that mark at 750,000). This is a big red flag for a team looking to sell seats and have a fanbase that can continuously come to home games (41 of them to be exact). Sure, the Jazz in the NBA sell, and Green Bay, with a population of just over 100,000 also does well yet this is playing with fire. The other expansion efforts were in highly populated cities (Las Vegas and Seattle) and there are a handful of other cities that are heavily populated and capable of hosting an NHL team (Houston, Portland, and Milwaukee). So, moving from Phoenix, the six most popular cities in the USA, to Salt Lake City is a gamble and the league is betting on the state as a whole buying into this team. 2) The NHL is not the NBA ● It’s fair to bet on Ryan Smith and how he’s transformed the Jazz into a hot-selling team. He’s a charismatic owner and knows how to sell his teams. Think of Steve Balmer with the Los Angeles Clippers or Lamar Hunt with the Kansas City Chiefs back in the 1960s, he’s a visionary who can do great things with a sports team. The problem is his success is in the NBA and not the NHL. He will run into a few problems. The big one is that the NBA is a star-driven league while the NHL is a success-driven league. Smith had star power to help brand the Jazz from Gordon Heyward to Rudy Gobert to Donovan Mitchell. The NHL team he is inheriting is the Arizona Coyotes, a team that is promising but has only made the playoffs once in the past 12 seasons. If this team continues to struggle on the ice, they won’t sell seats. The Vegas Golden Knights as an expansion team did well because they won, the other things helped on the side. Utah must win or this plan will go south (not literally since they are coming from the south). 3) The Arena isn’t Built for the NHL ● Time for a minor issue that could go a long way. When the New York Islanders moved to Brooklyn, albeit, for a few seasons, they played at Barclays Center, a venue made for basketball. With the basketball court in place first, the Islanders had to build a rink on top of it. The result was a mess. The rick was poorly constructed, there were plenty of obstructed seats, and the arena by default had to shirk its capacity. Fast forward and the Utah NHL team will run into similar issues as they start their journey in the Delta Center, the home of the NBA team. Smith knows this is an issue and has noted that he’s trying to address it with both renovations and new arena plans. However, both require time and make this move a sloppy one out of the gate. 4) Utah is a Non-Traditional Market ● The cynics will say that Las Vegas, Seattle, Southern California, Florida, and Dallas were all non-traditional markets and succeeded. So why not Utah? After all, Utah is in a region where outdoor sports and hockey are common (they hated the 2002 Olympics, back when people watched the Olympics). The problem is that Utah is an unknown and the NHL is pushing its luck. Phoenix failed in part because the area wasn’t invested in the game the same way other hockey markets are. Now, the league is trying to get a state to buy into a team that there wasn’t interest in beforehand. When We’ll Know if Utah is a Success or Failure It will take a few seasons to determine if things are taking off in Utah or if it’s a non-starter. By season three, it will be clear if a team is here to stay or destined to fail. The Seattle Kraken come to mind as they just finished their third season in the NHL and despite missing the playoffs in two of them, they have managed to establish a fanbase and grow it. The hope is that Utah can do the same but we’ll have to give it time (read this article in 2027 and tell us how we did).

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Covering The NHL The Way it Should Be

TUNDRA_News | 7 May 2024

Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger celebrates a home win in the First Round. SOURCE: DALLAS STARS TWITTER/X Our society has turned into Amazon warehouses, where robots and people who act like robots take the items and put them in boxes to ship them around the world. It’s happening with everything and sports coverage is no exception. Sports Illustrated was busted a few months back for having artificial intelligence creating content for the platform. They became the recent casualty in the sports world but other sites places faring much better. Every day it seems like another big media company is laying off writers, columnists, journalists, and producers only to see them replaced with robots or people who act like robots. People becoming robotic with their coverage is the more embarrassing aspect. We as a society have turned creating minds into basic content machines. Articles on a sports site are plain, straightforward, and sadly lack thought or knowledge. It makes anyone feel for the fans who are becoming more knowledgeable about the games than ever before. The Site: The Rangers Swept The Capitals!! The Fans: No Shit! I watched that last night! The Rangers celebrate a sweep of the Capitals, something you probably know happened if you are on this site. SOURCE: SNY (TWITTER/X) This brings us to the mission of a new platform, a place where hockey fans will hopefully find useful and insightful coverage. Our Mission It’s a cliche that knowledge is power. Yet, that’s the thing that sports writers possess that fans desire and it must be provided. The world is craving more sports coverage, especially hockey coverage and it seems like everyone has an opinion, yet few people have a professional opinion. Anyone who provides NHL coverage to the fans can and should have a take, an authentic view of what is happening, and manage to provide evidence or good reasoning to back it up. We have minimal insight in a hockey world that needs it. It’s one thing to look at the box scores or the standings and see what happened. It’s another to see what they imply and why they matter. The hope is that on our platform, you can find quick access to all things NHL and come away with something new every time you come here. As an avid fan, this is the coverage you deserve! Reporting the news would be useful but a lot of platforms already do it and that’s unfortunately, all they do. Providing the scores from the previous night or previewing the week of action would be nice as well but there’s no value to most fans (if you are coming to this site, the chances are you already know what happened the night before or know which teams are facing each other). There is value in commenting on everything and the upcoming articles and podcasts intend to do just that.

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Jay Leno’s Breathtaking Car Collection

TUNDRA_News | 2 May 2024

(Originally published March 4, 2022) Look at that smile. (Petrolhead Corner) Jay Leno is famous for his decades-long career in comedy and as a “The Tonight Show” host. These days, however, car enthusiasts know him as the denim-clad, car-collecting juggernaut of his immensely popular CNBC show, “Jay Leno’s Garage.” Leno’s personal collection of cars and motorcycles is legendary, one of the largest in the world. It is clear when he talks about anything he has or is looking at on the show that he has a true love for cars and motorbikes, rather than a passing fancy for the purpose of boasting or hosting. Because of this, it is actually a real pleasure to watch him on the show. Even if you’re not an enthusiast, his zeal is so infectious that it pulls you in and makes you interested in how a camshaft works and why he cares about it, even if you didn’t even know you were interested. As fans and enthusiasts, we wanted to take a look at some of our favorites that have been featured on Leno’s show. 1963 Oldsmobile Jetfire Oldsmobile Jetfire. (Autocar.co.uk) This particular car is a true rarity. Fewer than 10,000 were produced and only 150 remain as working cars. Along with the Chevy Corvair, it was in 1963 the first production car with a turbocharged engine, the original muscle car as it were. The Jetfire might look like an ordinary sedan from the early ’60s, but under the hood it’s anything but. For example, the turbocharger literally requires rocket fuel, methyl alcohol and water. Although it was not a smash hit with consumers, it lives on in the hearts of enthusiasts. 1994 McLaren F1 Leno’s McLaren F1 is an absolute stunner. (Fstoppers.com) This one actually belongs to Leno’s collection, and we’re not shy in saying that it is absolutely one of our very favorites. We love Ferraris and Porsches like nobody’s business, but there’s something intangibly special about the McLaren F1. Doug DeMuro called it one of the best cars even made, which is why is it probably sells for millions today. It’s the only production car to ever win Le Mans. The fact that it also held the title as the world’s fastest production car for more than a decade is why we love it so much. 2022 Mustang Mach E GT The new Mustang is more than just a name. (Shutterstock) The most recent addition to the garage as of this writing is the new Mustang EV. Many in the auto enthusiast world were nearly driven to riot after it was announced that the Mustang badge would rest on an all-electric crossover SUV. But when people actually got their hands on one, the tune of the conversation changed. It was obvious from the dual motor GT version’s output of 480 horsepower and a 0-60 mph time of 3.7 seconds that this wasn’t just a cynical marketing ploy. This car has serious enthusiast-level performance while also being super practical. It’s no wonder that Jay Leno appreciates it. 1971 Citroen DS The DS is an all-time favorite. (Autoevolution.com) The Citroen DS is one of the finest automobiles to come out of France and all of Europe, for that matter. It’s a favorite of enthusiasts the world over, including French enthusiasts like Richard Romagny. This one also belongs to Leno personally, and he has said, “It’s fabulous to drive … The DS is probably the most-comfortable car ever built.” High praise from a guy that owns multiple Mercedes. It’s also, as all French cars tend to be, rugged – having competed in the Dakar rally several times over the years. This car has serious pedigree. 1963 Chrysler Turbine The rear of the Turbine looks like Batmobile. (Autoweek) OK, so you know that a car lover like Jay Leno has some slightly whacky contraptions from years past. We happen to love this one, the Chrysler Turbine. This one-of-a-kind classic was an experiment by Chrysler back in the 1960s and was meant to eliminate the need for piston driven-engines altogether by making an engine that could power a drivetrain with anything combustible. Theoretically, even vegetable oil can make it run. Only nine of these exist in the world, and its warms our hearts like a Philly cheesesteak that an aficionado as conscientious Leno owns one. Related: Why Celebrity Car Meetup is Ruffling Feathers in Malibu

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TUNDRA_News FLORIDA STATE

FSU (Florida State University) Students Are Ready to Hit Some Dinks

TUNDRA_News | 26 Apr 2024

Advanced Partners show up to the courts ready to play! Are they coming for basketball? NOPE. Pickleball all day every day. Members of the pickleball club matched their partners in jerseys. SOURCE: MADELYNN BROOKS Don't Fall, Play Ball Students aim the ball at all the right places. FSU students have been waiting for the fundraising tournament to start! To end the spring 2024 season, students are ready to highlight their skills. Who will win The students are ready to show off their skills for the Pickleball Club at Florida State University (FSU) fundraising tournament. They flexed their abilities at a local park in Tallahassee, Chaires Park, on April 13th --the tournament style: rally scoring and round robin format. In the intermediate bracket, there were 26 teams and in the advanced bracket, there were 15 teams. The partners played 4 games with one another. After the four the next games were turned into single-round elimination. This sure kept members and locals on their toes! As the Pickleball Club at FSU is hosting this tournament, it holds significance on multiple levels, and the involvement of contributors enhances the value of the event! Anyone had the opportunity to participate in the tournament if they contributed 25 dollars to the pickleball club through the fundraising app, Vertical App. As the club spread the news about the tournament, enthusiasts introduced pickleball to a wider audience. The club teamed up with one of the best Mexican grills, Moes. Moes agreed to take a portion of the profits from the yummy foods and put it towards the club. Anyone who said they were a part of the Pickleball Team at FSU and other locals contributed to the donations. The importance of contributors such as Moes creates a great audience as the restaurant is local to FSU students. Therefore, the word about the pickleball club can spread more than ever! After Tuesday’s practice, the students raced over to the local Moes and enjoyed a nice dinner. Cheers to Moe’s delicious bowls and burritos! Lifes a Rally, Enjoy the Game The second place winners from the advanced bracket are ready to grub up at a local restaurant, Madison Social to congratulate themselves for their dedication on the courts! They were runner ups to Josh Phillips and Miles Kreutzer. SOURCE: INSTAGRAM / FSUPICKLEBALLCLUB The tournament was full of so much love and support from members and the community. Several sponsors got an appearance at the event. Many companies came together not only to help the club but show off their own company! One of the clubs' sponsors, Blooballlz, was a great help in the tournament as students used these balls in every match. Additionally, the company made an epic banner that was shown off at the front of Chaires Park to get everyone's attention! There was some ice-cold coffee and warm coffee from one of the local coffee shops in Tallahassee, Lucky Goat Coffee. The company supplied regular coffee with cups, sugars, and creams. This helped the intermediate players stay on their toes for their matches! The Pretty Pickleball Company is another sponsor. Those who donated to the pickleball club at FSU had a an opportunity to be picked in a raffle. The prize includes some merch from the pretty Pickleball company. This included blue or pink balls along with bright colored towels and more! The pickleball club at FSU shows off their own merch at the event. A maroon shirt in all sizes with tan colored letters PICKLE across the front! The shirt is so comfortable it can be worn to sleep or on the courts. It is only 10 dollars which is contributed towards the club and more merch for future players and locals. On the other hand, the white crewneck is 20 dollars, but it is worth the extra cha-ching! Love the bling show off the support for this amazing club! Born to Play, Designed to Win The twins are ready to take on the fundraising tournament together. Not physically but mentally as well. they sure were born together are they ready to win together? SOURCE: INSTAGRAM / FSUPICKLEBALLCLUB Gavin and Pat came all the way from Panama City to see what the pickleball club at FSU has in store! They have quite an experience background in pickleball as they have been playing the sport since 2023. Gavin had found out about the tournament through a social media app, Facebook. They attended the tournament to support the club. The men came in bright colors to soak up the Florida sun and spread awareness to their company. Pat is a co-owner of Sunsets and Dinks which is a premium apparel pickleball company. The gentlemen spoke about their company and stated the motto “Our motto is 'Crush conformity, break the mold - Premium Pickleball Apparel for Rebels of the Court”! They sure know how to show off their awesome brand and the right places to show it! The Pickleball Club at FSU is grateful, to say the least, for the opportunities presented to partner with the local restaurants and facilities for more outreach. The pickleball club is consistently promoting the sport, community engagement, and promotes healthy lifestyles.

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TUNDRA_News FLORIDA STATE

FSU PICKLEBALL CLUB: PLAYERS GONNA PLAY

TUNDRA_News | 26 Apr 2024

Sam Domsch in an intense rally against fellow peers at Four Oaks. Sam may be tall, but he can also get down for any ball! Domsch and his partner won the mini match. SOURCE: MADELYNN BROOKS Sam Domsch is cooking it up in the kitchen. Sike - Do not go there. Be ready for his dinks all around town. What makes Domsch tick. Meet Sam Domsch, a dynamic college athlete whose passion for pickleball fuels his competitive drive both on and off the court. With lightning-fast reflexes and strategic finesse, Domsch dominates the pickleball scene, displaying his talents at Tuesday's practice at the local facility, Four Oaks, in Tallahassee. Court Time, Forget about Time The boys are ready to serve in an intense match. Who will win the game point? The members attend a beautiful evening practice at Four Oaks and take the heat. SOURCE: MADELYNN BROOKS Balancing his training schedule with academic commitments, Domsch embodies dedication and discipline, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike. Domschs journey as a pickleball player not only embodies athletic excellence but also serves as an inspiration to his peers in the pickleball club, while demonstrating the power of perseverance. Domsch exerts many strengths on the court such as his precise shots at the net or rallying from the baseline. The college athlete says he had the background of his athleticism through soccer as it increased his stamina to help him on the courts now. Sometimes the enthusiast must overcome his challenges and weaknesses on the courts. Domsch’s challenge on the court is patience. He says he can get too excited and hit the shots early and therefore he makes some shots in the nets or out of the court! According to Domsch, the collegiate athlete says, “Honestly every practice, it is fun to be on the courts for an hour or two and you just get to play different opponents.” Smashing Pickleball Shots Can the other team take the heat? Dias and Pouza sure know how to smash pickle shots in all the right places. Will the next one be in the kitchen! SOURCE: MADELYNN BROOKS As for the future, Domsch plans to pursue pickleball after he graduates. He would like to join in adult tournaments to further his skills in the sport. Domsch’s determination and love for the game take him to extreme levels of success. As a college athlete, he truly embodies the spirit of sportsmanship, as he is always cheering on both his teammates and opponents. Beyond the losses and wins, Domsch's journey as a pickleball player is inspiring to all through his transformative power of sports, instilling in his valuable lessons of teamwork, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence.

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TUNDRA_News FLORIDA STATE

NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST WHATS NEXT- The Georgia Regional Tournament

TUNDRA_News | 26 Apr 2024

The students take a picture after one of their matches. The collegiate athletes are beyond thankful to be smiling from across the border. They are ready to take on opponents from other colleges to create a competitive yet friendly tournament. SOURCE: JOSH PHILLIPS The Florida State Pickleball Club heads to a regional tournament hosted in Georgia to get the competition going. What do the teams have in store? To attend a regional tournament or nationals, you must be a pickleball club member. At Florida State University (FSU) two girls and two boys were selected to represent FSU at the tournament. The Florida State collegiate athletes that were chosen- Lily Shaw, Zack Florendo, Bella Kontil, and Joshua Phillips- consistently highlight their skills on the court! One of the FSU pickleball members chosen, Lily Shaw, is a Junior at Florida State University (FSU). She has been playing pickleball for 5 months. The first tournament Shaw played in was the Embry Riddle tournament in March 2024. The co-ed team, Shaw and her partner Colby Tabb, placed 3rd overall! This tournament was her second tournament ever. This only prepared her for the next big tournament, The Georgia Regionals. Shaw says the competition in Georgia was more challenging. Additionally, she adds “There were schools from all over the country that participated in the Georgia tournament whereas the Embry Riddle tournament only consisted of teams from UF, USF, UCF, UNF, ERAU, and FSU.” Let's rally, Who's in There were schools from all over the country that participated in the Georgia tournament. They scrambled to fill on these beautiful courts. Will the balls stay in the courts or go flying! SOURCE: JOSH PHILLIPS On Saturday afternoon, the first day of the tournament, the atmosphere was electric as pickleball enthusiasts from far and wide gathered for a Regional Tournament located in Georgia. The Florida State collegiate athletes - Lily Shaw, Zack Florendo, Bella Kontil, and Joshua Phillips- were eager to showcase their skills. The courts were filled with talented collegiate pickleball athletes. Each college brought their school spirit while sharing the bond of the sport. Shaw says, “We were all very excited for this tournament and of course, there were some nerves, especially in the first match on Saturday, but it didn’t take too long to lock in”. To mentally prepare for each game, Shaw did not use a hype song, she had her amazing teammates to provide the energy! Before every match the club members: Florendo, Phillips, Kontil, and Shaw had pep talks. This motivated the players to boost their energy and encouraged each other on and off the court. The matches on Saturday were rally scoring to 21 points and the teams had to win by 2 and freeze at 20. The team started off playing the University of Florida (UF) Team 4 at 11:30 am. The women’s match was played first and Shaw and Kontil lost 19-21. The games went back and forth and had the audience standing on their toes! The men’s team played next, and they won to pick the team back up! Co-ed teams took over the courts next, Shaw and Phillips lost their match verse UF. To finish out the intense matches with the UF pickleball team, Kontil and Florendo won their match! Court Conqueror The collegiate athletes take a winning picture after the boys won their match versus some of the University of Florida pickleball club members. Even though the girls lost, the boys brought back the energy with the win! SOURCE: JOSH PHILLIPS Therefore, the teams went into a dreambreaker where each player played 4 rallies at a time and the players kept alternating every 4 rallies until a team reached 21, however, when a team reached 20 they had to score the last point when serving. The order of the FSU pickleball team with matches was Florendo then Phillips, Kontil, and lastly Shaw. Unfortunately, the team did not win the Dreambreaker and lost 23-21. Shaw and the team experienced many hardships but specifically, Shaw explains the biggest challenge leading into the tournament was that she had not previously played that much with Kontil and Phillips. Shaw joined the FSU pickleball club this semester. However, the team still played exceptionally well and had a great time together. Shaw’s favorite part of the tournament was bonding with the team and cheering each other on. The team then played Clemson 1 and all 4 of FSU teams lost. The last game on Saturday was against JSU and all 4 FSU teams won by a significant amount. Unfortunately, the team did not make it into the top 16 so they were out of the running to win the tournament. The team was not satisfied with the results on Saturday as they felt they did not play to the best of their abilities, especially against UF 4. Comeback Season, maybe just maybe! On Sunday, the second day of the tournament, the team played 2 consolation matches. The first match was against Virginia Tech, and the FSU pickleball team lost 3-1. The women’s team lost 20-22, which was an extremely close match! That was not the only loss of the day, the men’s team and one mixed team also lost. But to save the day one co-ed team won! The final game the team played in Georgia was against Clemson and FSU finished the tournament strong winning all 4 matches! Shaw emphasizes, “I wouldn't have traded this experience for the world. I learned a lot from this tournament and hopefully shook some nerves off as I got my first big tournament under my belt. I am excited to get redemption at the next tournament!” The Georgia Regional Tournament made thrilling matches and the event served as a showcase of talent to the vibrant and inclusive pickleball community. Go Noles!

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US Open Pickleball Championships 2024

TUNDRA_News FLORIDA STATE

The FSU Pickleball Club Fundraiser Takes a Turn!

TUNDRA_News | 11 Apr 2024

PHOTO CRED: MADELYNN BROOKS This week Florida State University Pickleball Club started a fundraiser to cover expenses that will affect the students’ abilities to excel in participating in regional, state and national tournaments. Funding will be attributed to travel costs for fall court rentals, and overall club expenses. With the community's support, this will secure funds for athletes to help them compete at their ultimate level. In order to raise additional funds, the FSU Pickleball Club will host a tournament for club students and the public. The FSU Fundraising Tournament is a perfect way for students to show off their skills and compete for a great cause! The club is hosting the tournament at Chaires Park in Tallahassee. The tournament will take place on April 13, 2024. This thrilling tournament will include two brackets: Intermediate and Advanced. The intermediate tournament will be from 8:30 am to 11:00 am, and the advanced bracket will take place later in the afternoon from 1:00 am to 1:30 pm. This allows more opportunities for not only skilled and seasonal players, but also those who are interested and just starting. There is a place for everyone on the courts. Additionally, there will be several prizes that are awarded to the top performers in each bracket. The pickleball club sure knows how to entice these students! Prizes will be distributed to the winners of each bracket, and the tournament will generously provide many snacks and beverages to ensure players' best energy. The tournament is free for club members as students must pay dues at the start of the season. If you are not a member the entry fee to participate in the tournament is 25 dollars. The entry fee to be in the tournament will go towards funding the club for the fall semester of 2024. As of April 2nd, there have only been donations sent from the FSU Pickleball Club Team Executive board. They have raised $500 to date; however, there are 3 weeks remaining to reach the club’s official goal of $5,000. The community’s contribution is so meaningful and will make a difference in the Florida State Club’s success. As the community strives to support this amazing fundraiser it directly supports the players' dreams and aspirations. The donations rise more and more as friends and members share with fellow communities' members. There have been approximately eight partner sign-ups for the co-ed tournament, which really helps to prepare co-ed players for future regional and final matches competing on a national scope. Go Pickleball Club FSU!!! Goodluck reaching your goal! PHOTO CRED: MADELYNN BROOKS The Club is 10% Closer to The Goal, Will They Accomplish It? The Florida State Pickleball Club is receiving donations through the premier online fundraising platform, Vertical Raise! Students participating in the tournament will be required to pay the entry fee of 25 dollars which will contribute to their playtime and help the club!

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TUNDRA_News FLORIDA STATE

FSU Pickleball Players Do It All @ School & Play

TUNDRA_News | 11 Apr 2024

SOURCE: PICKLEBALLCLUBFSU/INSTAGRAM Students at Florida State University often balance their workloads by employing various time management strategies and prioritization techniques. How do they manage to be a full-time student, participate in organizations, and be a part of the pickleball club? They can surely do it all! Annie Arevalo has been a member of the FSU Pickleball Club since the beginning of the semester. Arevalo is a first-year student that attends Florida State University, majoring in finance. After a big life transition, graduating high school and then attending one of the top universities, Arevalo found the pickleball club as a safe space. Arevalo heard about the pickleball club through social media: their Instagram. After hours of scrolling and seeing how fun a club could be she joined in the spring semester of 2024. Arevalo is in a volunteer group at a local facility in Tallahassee. The volunteer work she contributes to the community is not only for one of her classes at Florida State University, but out of an enjoyment of giving back to society. Arevalo is fluent in Spanish; she exhibits her background by teaching the language to several children. As it can be a challenge to balance volunteering, classwork, and a sport, Arevalo manages to do it! Before a new week begins, Arevalo manages her time by planning out what each day will consist of. This helps her stay organized on top of schoolwork and time management. Arevalo loves the atmosphere of the pickleball club as it acts as a stress reliever. The sport takes her mind off the daily stresses for that time period. She says the pickleball club has a great atmosphere because the people are so energetic, and it is easy to get along with one another. Arevalo is one that can achieve academic excellence, love one another by giving back to the community and improve her skills every week. Joshua Hamburger was in three clubs during his spring semester at Florida State University! Hamburger is a senior, majoring in History on the Pre-Law track. Hamburger always knew what pickleball was but had never really tried it. However, over Thanksgiving break of 2023, Hamburgers’ family decided to make a fun and friendly competitive tournament. The family tournament was full of teamwork and determination. Therefore, this inspired him to join the FSU Pickleball Club in the spring semester of 2024. PHOTO CRED: MADELYNN BROOKS Hamburger is a part of several organizations at Florida State University. He is a part of Phi Alpha Delta, a law fraternity for the College of Law. In this fraternity, Hamburger participates in several community events to enhance his academics and understand his studies. In the interest of his major, he is planning to attend the College of Law after he graduates. Hamburger is originally from Miami, so he loves to represent his background at Florida State University by being in the Hispanic Honor Society. He enjoys this atmosphere, as it represents his culture which fulfills him. The Hispanic Honor Society recognizes academic excellence among Hispanic/Latino students who seek to learn more about the culture no matter the field of study. As a result of Hamburger’s dedication to school organizations, he has developed a sense of belonging and networking opportunities. He loves to be in all clubs as they truly complement each other. With the heavy workload of studying law, Hamburger loves to release stress and just have friendly matches on the pickleball courts every Tuesday and Thursday with his friends. He loves to relieve stress through the pickleball club, as it is upbeat with a great community. The pickleball club is full of great memories; Hamburger says his favorite part of the club is, “the friends I have made and formed groups to play over the weekend, the comradery, and everyone is super open to just play and have fun.” As Hamburger is a senior, he is so grateful to be a part of the pickleball team and cannot wait to master his skills for the last 2 weeks of practice.

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