Stanson Town » the Leafs have allowed 30 shots or more. .949

OTTAWA - The Ottawa Senators are once again turning to a young Swede to lead the organization.The Senators named star defenceman Erik Karlsson as the ninth captain in franchise history on Thursday. The announcement came 15 years after Daniel Alfreddson started his long and successful run wearing the C in Ottawa.Karlsson takes over the leadership role from Jason Spezza, who was captain for just one year before being traded to the Dallas Stars this summer.The Senators added to the days excitement announcing a new US$50.75 million, seven-year contract extension for forward Bobby Ryan.Karlsson was the odds-on favourite to become the new captain, as theres little debate that he is now the face of the franchise.At 24, Karlsson appears poised to embrace the new responsibility.Its an incredible opportunity, Karlsson said. Its a task thats very rare and its not something that you can prepare for really. Its a little bit surprising to me as well and its a bit overwhelming, but Im ready for what is to come.Im really looking forward to what it has to bring and Im excited about the team and about the upcoming season and even beyond that. Im just very, very thrilled right now.Chris Phillips and Chris Neil will remain as alternate captains.Speculation as to who would be the new captain began as soon as Spezzas trade was announced. The Senators said they were in no rush to name a replacement and wanted to take the time to make the right choice.In the end general manager Bryan Murray said the decision was clear.We knew in the very near future he was going to be (captain) and we finally just decided that if hes going to be it why not be it now, Murray said. I think his growth off the ice, his attitude, the conversations weve had since last year and the fact hes back to full health and really wanting to be a focal point of this hockey team a€” all those reasons. The most important one obviously was we just felt he was the right guy because he had that personality to step up and take charge and be forceful, but considerate of his teammates.Murray said consideration for Karlsson to take on a greater leadership role began as far back as last years exit meetings.There was a tough decision to make here, Murray said. We had a couple other guys that are very responsible, good veteran players, but we just felt we had to turn the team over to a guy that could carry this team for a number of years and not be changing every year or two the captains role or whatever.Erik really indicated to me, and over the summer the few times that we talked, that he sure sounded like a guy who wanted responsibility, wanted to be a different team than last year and he came into camp and I think hes shown that.I think hes back to where he can be as a player and hell show that he can take charge of helping us be a real good team over the course of time.Karlsson was far from his best last season as he dealt with personal issues and the recovery from a lacerated Achilles tendon the previous campaign. Despite that he still managed to score 20 goals and add 54 assists.Karlsson was approached Wednesday about taking over the captaincy. He said he was honoured to be asked and didnt hesitate to accept the offer.The 2012 Norris trophy winner knows he will be under greater scrutiny, but says he was fortunate to have spent time playing under both Alfredsson, one of his best friends, and Spezza.Ill never be Alfie, Ill never be Spezz, Ill be myself and Ill lead probably in a different way than other players will and thats how it is for everyone, Karlsson said. No one can or should shape themselves exactly after someone else. We are who we are and I was fortunate to be around Alfie and learn from him and take the best things from him and also from Spezz and Philly (Phillips) and Neiler (Neil) as well. Just being around a lot of experienced, good guys it helps you shape yourself into who you want to be.Karlsson shared the news with Alfredsson prior to the official announcement and said the former captain was pleased for him.The signing of Ryan solidifies the Senators lineup as they now have Karlsson, Kyle Turris and Clarke MacArthur signed to long-term deals.Ryan, who was acquired after Alfredsson chose to sign with Detroit as a free agent in the summer of 2013, has been a fan favourite from the start and says choosing to commit long-term was a no brainer for he and his fianc??e.I love the city. I love the fans. Everybody has been so embracing and genuinely good-hearted hockey fans and I like being surrounded by that and on top of that I think the team is on the uptake obviously, he said. Say what you want on the outside of things, but I think a lot of people in the room are very, very happy with where were at and where were going to be over the course of my next seven years, but ultimately overall.Murray said it was always the organizations intent to sign Ryan to a long-term extension and was pleased to get it done sooner rather than later to avoid it becoming a distraction.We had been talking to Bobby for quite some time, Murray said. He just wanted to take a little bit of time and make sure for him that he was comfortable where he fit here and obviously he is.Only Phil Kessel has more goals than Ryan among American players since 2008-09. Kessel has 192 goals through 434 games, while Ryan has 165 goals in 425 games.We know hes a good player; we know hes an important player for us; we know goals are hard to come by in the NHL and if you dont have that kind of player in your lineup over the course of time it makes it difficult to win games, Murray said. I think Bobbys shown he can be the goal scorer in the moment of an important part of a game that can help us win.Defenceman Marc Methot remains the lone player who has yet to be re-signed as he enters the final year of his contract, but Murray said a new offer has been sent to Methots agent, Larry Kelly.We are trying to indicate to Marc that wed really like to keep him and sign him here, Murray said. Theres no other intent on our part, but I havent heard back from his agent. Stitched Tennessee Titans Jerseys . Thats how the Ravens won when Ryan was their defensive co-ordinator from 2005-08, and that is precisely the formula Baltimore used to beat Ryans New York Jets on Sunday. Cheap Tennessee Titans Jerseys Online . 31-Feb. 2. While organizers havent decided if itll be red or green clay, they feel their choice of surface will give the Americans an advantage over Britain, which is expected to be led by defending Wimbledon champion Andy Murray. http://www.titanscheap.com/ . Paul, MN (SportsNetwork. Wholesale Tennessee Titans Jerseys . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. Discount Tennessee Titans Jerseys . On Thursday theyll learn even more. Despite the cloud of uncertainty that has followed them around from the moment general manager Masai Ujiri was brought in to put his stamp on the franchise, the Raptors have surpassed all pre-season expectations.EDMONTON – The mandate is pretty simple when Phil Kessel storms into the kind of zone he currently occupies. “Just give him the puck whenever you can,” said James van Riemsdyk after the latest Leafs win in Edmonton on Tuesday night. “Thats pretty much what everyone tries to do out there because it seems like everything he touches is going in the net.” Kessel scored for the fourth consecutive game, burying a pair against the Oilers while also adding two assists in a 4-0 victory. The 26-year-old has tallied seven goals on 13 shots in the recent four-game span, now tied for second in league scoring with 18 points. “He puts himself in a good position offensively,” van Riemsdyk said, “and hes been able to capitalize on a lot of those chances and create a lot of offence.” It took only 68 seconds for the first puck to find twine at Rexall Place. Joined at the hip by Nazem Kadri for the second straight game, Kessel burst beyond the Oilers defence, taking a soft dish from his 23-year-old teammate before beating the helpless Richard Bachman five-hole. Setting up van Riemsdyk for his sixth of the year early in the second, Kessel tallied his second of the evening a few minutes later. It was arguably the prettiest of his nine markers so far this season. Hovering to the right of Bachman on the goal-line, Kessel quickly snatched the puck off the end-boards and fired it under the bar. “Thats quick hands,” said Randy Carlyle of the effort. “And we all know he has quick hands. If you give him an open net his eyes get a little bit wider Im sure.” Kessels big night capped the second straight win for the Eastern Conference-leading Leafs (9-4-0) and first of a three-game road trip through Western Canada. “Im getting a couple good bounces right now, some good passes,” said Kessel modestly after the four-point night. “Im fortunate right now.” Five Points 1. Shutout James Reimer stopped every one of the 43 shots he faced from the Edmonton attack for his first shutout of the season. The 25-year-old has turned aside 79 of 80 shots in the past two games after a 36-save outing in a win over Pittsburgh on Saturday. Improving to 4-0-0 on the season, he now sits second among qualifying goaltenders with a .949 save percentage. “Our whole team did a great job of eliminating second chances when I lost the rebounds out there,” he said after another busy night. 2. Compliments to Kadri Kadri had another fine evening playing with Kessel and van Riemsdyk. Notching the game-winning goal in victory over the Penguins three nights earlier, Kadri had a goal and two assists against the Oilers. “He sees the ice really well and has really good offensive instincts out there,” said van Riemsdyk of Kadri, who played 16-plus minutes and has 12 points this season. Stepping in for the injured Tyler Bozak alongside two of the Leafs top snipers, Kadri has made the most of his opportunity thus far. His shifty, unpredictable attack has proved a seamless fit in a prominent role. “Nazzies a guy that enjoys the spotlight,” Carlyle said prior to the game. “He enjoys talking to [the media]. [But] he backs up what he says. Hes not one of those guys that goes out there and makes statements that hess not prepared to go out and try and back up.ddddddddddddYouve got to love that in a player because he wants more. Thats what separates good players from great players is they can continually go and grow into the game and grow into a larger role as they get more mature and more games under their belt.” 3. Change in Direction One subtle adjustment Carlyle has asked Kadri to make relates to the direction he moves on the ice. “Hes a little bit of an east-west player,” said Carlyle on Tuesday morning. “The reason were trying to get him away from that is because in todays NHL its a lot about back-side pressure.” “There [are] times where you can go east-west – we understand that – but we just want him to focus on playing north-south as much as possible. Very talented player, can read the ice well, can make plays, has that scoring knack – hes got a lot of things going for him.” 4. Lupul Plays through Pain Joffrey Lupul wasnt about to let Grandma down. Sidelined for two games with a bone bruise (foot), Lupul returned to the lineup against the Oilers, totaling 16 minutes alongside Jay McClement and Carter Ashton. An Edmonton native, Lupul visited with his grandmother on Monday evening. Rather than fly to Mexico for a family wedding she chose to remain in town for an opportunity to watch Lupul play. “That made me feel like I should probably give it my best effort to play tonight,” the 30-year-old said prior to the game. Lupul practiced on Monday afternoon and skated with the team on Tuesday morning, never quite feeling 100 per cent. He lacked explosion and wasnt able to push off the foot comfortably. “Its painful,” he said, “but just as long as you can get in the skate and have the strength and be able to tolerate [the pain], its something youre able to play through without making it too much worse.” 5. Communication Tuesday marked the 12th time in 13 games that the Leafs have yielded 30 shots or more. Edmonton fired 43 shots at Reimer, including 19 in a third frame dominated by the home side. “One of the things that we have to do a better job of is communicating,” said Cody Franson earlier this week. “Last year, I think thats one of the areas that we were much better at is communicating. Id go back for a puck and Id have somebody telling me what was coming, where I could go with it … This year its kind of quiet.” Stat-Pack 7 – Goals for Phil Kessel in the last four games. 4 – Consecutive games with a goal for Kessel. 7 – Points in the last four games for James van Riemsdyk. 12 – Games this season that the Leafs have allowed 30 shots or more. .949 – Save percentage for James Reimer this season, second among qualifying goaltenders. 39 per cent – Leafs on the draw against the Oilers. 18.4 – Shooting percentage for Kessel after 13 games. 43-26 - Shot advantage for the Oilers on Tuesday night. Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-1 PK: 1-1 Quote of the Night “Winning covers all sins. Its hard to criticize a win, but we know in here that we can play better.” - James Reimer on his teams performance this season. Up Next The Leafs visit the surprising Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. 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