‘First and foremost, I’m still a dad’ Agent says Eichel not pushing for new coach
Diaper duty and kid chauffeur, home life doesn’t halt during NHL post-season
CALGARY — Crying kids and household chores don’t stop for NHL players in the post-season.
But a few players who were asked if they’d rather stay in a hotel during the home end of their playoff series — a practice some teams have done over the years — said they’d prefer to be in their own houses.
“Personally, I’m not a fan of staying in a hotel,” Ottawa Senators forward Tommy Wingels said.
“I like being at home and being around my wife and daughter. After thinking about nothing but hockey, it’s kind of a nice distraction, not that they’re a distraction if you know what I mean, but just to focus on something else.
“My wife is there for me all season and she supports me when things are going well, or not so well, so I just enjoy being around them. I want to share the playoff experience with them. I know it’s not the same for some guys, but it’s definitely my preference.”
During the Chicago Blackhawks’ run to the Stanley Cup in 2010, hotel rooms were available during home games, said former Hawks forward Troy Brouwer, who is now a Calgary Flame.
“Because there were so many people in town and so many people around, we put ourselves (in a hotel) not the night of, but the day of games,” Brouwer explained.
“We came to practice in the morning, then you hopped on a bus and went to your hotel for your pre-game meal and pre-game nap, so you didn’t have any distractions during the day. In our run last year in St. Louis, that’s what we did as well during the day.
“Every team I think for the most part offers hotels if you would prefer them, if you have people in town or distractions.
“I think most of the guys feel comfortable at home being in their own bed. Part of what being at home is, is being with your family and enjoying home-cooked meals and being around your loved ones.
“You don’t want to take that comfort level away.”
Family and close friends usually know playoffs is the most important time in a player’s career and will give him space. That cocoon doesn’t always extend to childcare, however.
“Maybe a little bit more lenient in some cases, yeah, but no free passes,” Brouwer said. “First and foremost, I’m still a dad.”
Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan said earlier this week he drove his 12-year-old son to football practice at 6 a.m. the morning after an overtime game.
Home life actually provides a counterbalance to the intense, fishbowl environment of playoff hockey, says Senators forward Clarke MacArthur.
“I kind of like being at the rink on an off day and focusing on just the game and then going to pick my daughter up from school and getting away from it for a bit,” MacArthur said.
“I’ve never gone on a long playoff run so maybe then I would want to stay in a hotel, but I don’t know. It might be a good way to get out of taking the garbage out though.” entered the season as Cup favourites might not last for long. Big money will have to be spent on restricted free agents such as Evgeny Kuznetsov, Andre Burakovsky, Brett Connolly and Nate Schmidt. Even core players, like Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom, are not getting any younger in a playoff series where the Leafs’ speed appears to be too much for the Capitals.
The time is for Washington to take advantage of an opportunity that might not be there next season or the year after.
“I want to be part of a championship team,” said Williams, who scored twice in Game 1 to force an eventual overtime victory and who has assists in Games 2 and 3. “Certainly, that was the main reason why I came to Washington. Yeah, it’s fun. You should have a smile on your face between periods. People are yelling at you or cheering for you, either way it’s fun and it’s exciting.
“It’s why we all play the game.”
BUFFALO, N.Y. — If Buffalo Sabres coach Dan Bylsma’s job is in jeopardy, star forward Jack Eichel’s representatives insist their client is not the one pushing for a change.
Whether Bylsma returns for a third season won’t have any effect on Eichel negotiating a contract extension this summer, Peter Fish and Peter Donatelli told The Associated Press by phone on Wednesday.
“He loves the Pegulas and wants to be a longtime Sabre, and he loves Tim,” Donatelli said, referring to team owners Terry and Kim Pegula, and general manager Tim Murray. “(A coaching change) is not even on his radar screen.”
And any suggestion the secondyear player is threatening to balk at negotiating a contract extension if Bylsma is still coach is “1,000-per cent false,” Donatelli said.
“It couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Fish.
Fish said Eichel “was genuinely excited” following end of season meetings with both Murray and Bylsma last week, and “felt very positive with the plans for next year’s team.”
The two spoke at a time when Murray is meeting with Terry Pegula.
Last week, Murray backed Byslma returning for a third season as Sabres coach despite the team missing the playoffs for a sixth straight year. Murray, however, noted the ultimate decision on Bylsma and his own future rests with Pegula.
Murray’s rebuilding plan took a step back this season. With a 33-3712 record, the Sabres finished last in the Atlantic Division standings with two fewer wins than the previous year.