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Articles by Chris Gear
My journey to The Dark Side: from NHL team member to media member
Chris Gear reflects on a rollercoaster season that saw him transition from NHL assistant GM to professional hockey writer. Published - Although my nightclub days are mostly over, I still remember the feeling of not wanting the party to end when the lights would suddenly come on and the bouncer would say it’s time to go. It’s kind of how I feel about the amazing 2021-22 NHL season now that we’ve turned the page to the 2022-23 season.
From shopping lists to auctioneer agents: Inside the NHL Free Agent Frenzy
How does an NHL front office navigate free agency day? Make your tiered lists, beware the bidding wars and know you'll be busy whether you chase a big fish or not. Published - Whenever the topic of free agency comes up, we are conditioned to think of the big names that might change the landscape of the league by changing jerseys. We search for Frank Seravalli’s Top 50 list or scroll Twitter to find out the latest on Johnny Gaudreau and Evgeni Malkin.
The NHL Draft floor: inside the experience
There is no larger gathering of the hockey community than the NHL Draft. Somewhere in the host arena, you will find: 32 club front offices and their teams of scouts and support staff; the NHL’s brass and its hockey ops and event staff; a large number of NHL owners; broadcasters and analysts from multiple countries; every agent who is anyone in the business; and of course, the next generation of hockey stars. It’s a hockey who’s who.
Is the Tampa Bay Lightning dynasty dream dead? Not so fast
By the end of the 2022 playoffs, the banged-up Bolts had emptied the tank, but that doesn't mean their contention window has closed. Published - I know it’s hard to feel bad for the Tampa Bay Lightning. As an organization, they came close to winning three straight Stanley Cups. They have a great arena, one of the league’s best owners and a relatively good chance of keeping most of their team together this off-season.
The top five NHL trade deadline deals of 2021-22
The season is over. The Cup has been awarded. Looking back at the deadline acquisitions, which players helped their teams the most in the playoffs? Published - It’s hard to remember a more memorable trade deadline than the one we saw this past March. Virtually every team that was in the playoff mix made some kind of move to bolster their chances at a Stanley Cup run.
The 'Five O's' method for courting NHL free agents
Think your market is the selling point for a free agent? Think again. The pitch should be about 'Os' -- for opportunities. Published - The term ‘free agent’ is an oxymoron. There’s nothing free about mercenaries who sell their services to the highest bidder. In fact, they are usually the opposite of free, in that they come at a premium. But what if money was taken out of the equation as a differentiator? That’s exactly the case with free agents who are still subject to the NHL’s entry-level system.
No mulligans allowed: How teams escape bad contracts
Even great GMs who usually make birdies sign some albatross deals from time to time. There are multiple ways to get them off the books. Published - Most NHL General Managers will play a lot of golf after the season ends. Like most of us, they will hit some shots that go long and straight and others that will slice into the woods or plunge straight into the water. It’s a lot like the player contracts they sign.
Joy, despair and Green Men: What it's like to work for a team in the Stanley Cup Final
As we watch the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning duel for the Stanley Cup, I can’t help but think of the few hundred people who work for each of the teams, and how, in many ways, this series is as important to their careers and their lives as it is for the guys on the ice. It’s not just performance reviews and bonuses that are at stake.
Down and Out: Should the New York Islanders make changes, or run it back?
After back-to-back appearances in the Conference Finals, the New York Islanders disappointed by not making the playoffs, although a lot of that can be attributed to a rough start that involved a lengthy road trip while waiting for their home arena to finish building, as well as a slew of injuries and COVID cases. Unfortunately for the Islanders, there isn’t a ton of room to make significant improvements either.
Prediction: New York Rangers, 2022-23 Stanley Cup champions
The Rangers were close this year. They have the youth and cap flexibility to finish the job next year. Published - The New York Rangers are not going to win the Stanley Cup this year. They are going to win it next year. You heard it here first. The Rangers ultimately didn’t have quite enough talent or experience to match the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning this season, but the Blueshirts signalled to the rest of the league that their time is coming very soon.
Inside pre-draft scouting meetings: why 'fighting' is a good thing
Whether fighting has a place in NHL ice rinks is a topic that has long been debated. Whether fighting has a place in NHL scouting boardrooms should not be open to debate. Good fights lead to good process. And good process leads to good drafting. I’m not talking about fisticuffs or the hurling of insults and profanity across the room. I’m talking about scouts “fighting” for players, pounding the table with conviction and emphatically putting their judgment on the line for the players they believe in.
Kids at the NHL Draft Combine: underestimate the interview at your peril
Selecting players in the NHL draft is a bit like buying a new car. There are so many options available from all over the world and they all have pros and cons. How do you determine which is the best? How do you even compare the quick-accelerating and stylish sport coupe from Germany with the comfortable and fuel-efficient sedan from the U.K. or the roomy and rugged SUV from the U.S.?
From a joke to a serious Stanley Cup threat: how did the Edmonton Oilers get here?
As recently as January, the Oilers had the wrong coach, the wrong goalie and the wrong roster additions. How did they turn their season around so remarkably? Published - The Edmonton Oilers are playing like a team that no one should have doubted. But let’s be honest, throughout the season, there was plenty of doubt. When the Oilers lost 13 of 15 games between Dec. 3, 2021 and Jan. 20, 2022, it seemed like this was a team that might not even make the playoffs.
Can the Florida Panthers remain a powerhouse next season?
In hockey, as in poker, sometimes you can play a very good hand and still lose. The Florida Panthers had every reason to think they were holding all the right cards heading into the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, just 10 games after they started their quest, they have been left to ponder what might have been and what happens next.
Top 10 restricted free agents of 2022: Part 2 (1-5)
This is the second instalment of a two-part piece in which I’m counting down what I view as the 10 most critical restricted free agent negotiations to watch in the NHL this off-season. In Part 1, I profiled Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, Tony DeAngelo of the Carolina Hurricanes, Jesper Bratt of the New Jersey Devils, Josh Norris of the Ottawa Senators and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks.
Top 10 restricted free agents of 2022: Part 1 (6-10)
Which RFA negotiations are the biggest bank-breakers to watch this offseason? Published - In a cap world, controlling your player salaries is critical to building a competitive roster. The concept of restricted free agency was put into the NHL collective bargaining agreement to help teams accomplish that. Subject to some exceptions relating to age and games played, the RFA system gives teams approximately four seasons of control over a player beyond his entry-level years.
What happens to the NHL's eliminated teams? A step-by-step offseason breakdown
For players on the 16 teams that don’t make the playoffs, the lengthy off-season can be like an extended vacation. Players, especially those who don’t compete in the World Championship, have ample downtime to be enjoyed before needing to ramp training back up for the next season. You would think the same might be true of team management. On the contrary, an early exit seems to bring about even more work for an NHL front office.
Business (finally) booms again for the NHL in the Stanley Cup playoffs
An exciting first round featuring five Game 7s has the revenue flowing in and the TV ratings looking healthy. Published - Most people would agree that there aren’t too many things in sports better than Game 7 of a playoff series. So what do you call five Game 7’s in two nights? There aren’t even words to describe it. All I know is that when the excitement of a Game 7 hits 10 of a league’s 32 fan bases in a single weekend, that’s a pretty good result for a league.
Inside the Black Ace experience during the Stanley Cup playoffs
Reserve players fill important roles during the postseason, whether they end up in games or not. Published - It’s NHL playoff time, and that means the intensity will ratchet up to a new level. With players sacrificing their bodies to jump in front of pucks and their opponents, injuries are bound to be a factor. It’s a war of attrition, and often the teams with the most depth are the ones that can persevere to be left standing at the end.
2021-22 by the numbers: A season of smashed records
With league-wide skill reaching an all-time high, milestones toppled left and right this season. Published - Sometimes you get so caught up in what lies ahead that you forget to celebrate what just happened. The 2021-22 NHL playoffs are shaping up to one of the most exciting and competitive we’ve seen in years, but the regular season we just witnessed was nothing short of incredible.
How do long-term injuries impact dressing room chemistry?
A lengthy absence disconnects a player from his teammates and can throw off the ecosystem. Published - In hockey, as in every sport, injuries and illnesses are an unfortunate part of the game. A prolonged absence obviously impacts a player’s ability to contribute to his team’s on-ice performance, but what often gets overlooked is how the player’s ability to contribute to his team off the ice gets affected.
The Daily Faceoff Show: Should the Buffalo Sabres be encouraged by their season?
Despite trading away Jack Eichel, Sam Reinhart, and Rasmus Ristolainen, the Buffalo Sabres are going to finish the 2021-22 season with a much better points percentage than they had in 2020-21. On Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Faceoff Show, Frank Seravalli and Chris Gear discussed whether the Sabres should be encouraged by their result in a season in which they set a record for the longest playoff drought in NHL history.
Travel in the NHL is gruelling – but it doesn't have to be
With constant time-zone and wardrobe changes, players don't always even know what city they're in. There's one easy way to reduce the rigors of NHL travel.
How do the Calgary Flames sign all their star free agents this off-season?
Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk ( Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports) Most of the time, having too many good players is a great problem to have. The one exception is when they all need a new contract at the same time. Such is the dilemma the Calgary Flames find themselves in as the 2021-22 regular season draws to a close.
The Daily Faceoff Show: Is Jonathan Huberdeau going to win the Art Ross Trophy?
With a three-point performance on Tuesday, Jonathan Huberdeau has jumped Connor McDavid for the NHL’s scoring lead. On Wednesday’s edition of The Daily Faceoff Show, Frank Seravalli and Chris Gear discussed whether Huberdeau or McDavid is more likely to take home the Art Ross Trophy this year. Seravalli: “For the first time since March 11, Connor McDavid wakes up not in the lead in the NHL scoring race.
The Daily Faceoff Show: Taking a look at the possible Flames and Predators first-round matchup
Apr 19, 2022; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (74) makes a save on a shot by Calgary Flames left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) in the shootout at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports Though they’re cruising to a Pacific Division banner, the Calgary Flames could be in tough in the first round of the playoffs.
Why the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings won't be Atlantic Division doormats next season
Filip Hronek and Alex Tuch (T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports) The end-of-season NHL standings over the last five years have been a bit like scenes out of Groundhog Day. As sure as Punxsutawney Phil would emerge to look for his shadow at the festival at Gobbler’s Knob each Feb. 2, the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings would emerge as league cellar dwellers when the regular-season schedule wrapped.
Gear: How the Stanley Cup playoffs affect team revenues
(Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports) “Playoffs! Playoffs!?” We all remember that exclamation from Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Mora. It has become a .GIF, a sound bite and one of the most reproduced interview clips in sports history. After all, no matter the sport, the playoffs are what it’s all about.
Gear: The NHL's richest siblings are…
Marc and Jordan Staal (James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports) Apparently, this past Sunday was National Siblings Day. I must have missed the memo when this celebratory day was created, but I was glad I heard about it just in time to call my sister and wish her a happy one. Do you know who had an even happier National Siblings Day? The Staal brothers. The Staals have been the most successful brother act ever in the NHL from a purely financial perspective. Good family values, so to speak.
Gear: NHL awards races look like the United Nations
Leon Draisaitl (Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports) Of the four major professional North American sports leagues, the NHL is the only one where the last team standing doesn’t usually refer to itself as “World Champion.” In the NFL and NBA, winners often use that title, and in baseball, “World” is literally part of the name of the championship series. Ironically, the NHL is the one league where it might make the most sense. Today’s NHL is a veritable United Nations General Assembly.
Gear: How the Minnesota Wild can escape salary cap hell
Kevin Fiala (Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports) Having a little dead money on your NHL salary cap is not ideal. Having 17 percent of your salary cap occupied by dead money is downright troubling. So when the Minnesota Wild put themselves in a situation to have that happen by buying out the contracts of Zach Parise and Ryan Suter on July 13, 2021, it raised a few eyebrows. To recap the math, the Parise-Suter cap hits totalled $4,743,588 on Minnesota’s books this season.
The Daily Faceoff Show: Chris Peters talks about Jake Sanderson and other big college free agent signings
The first wave of college free agent signings has begun, and with that means that we get to see some big names finally get their shot at an NHL role, like Jake Sanderson with the Ottawa Senators. But, it also means we get to see some signings that we didn’t expect, or that we just don’t even know a lot about.
Gear: Why keeping draft picks can be as risky as trading draft picks
Brandon Hagel (Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports) We all play the odd lottery scratch ticket, right? The appeal of spending a couple of bucks to take our shot and possibly hit the jackpot is too good to pass up. More often than not, the “Better luck next time” message appears under the scratched surface, but we can’t win the big one if we never play, so we keep scratching. Draft picks are a lot like lottery scratch tickets.
NHL officially voids Vegas Golden Knights - Anaheim Ducks deal involving Evgenii Dadonov
Evgenii Dadonov (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports) The NHL has officially voided the cap-clearing deal which would’ve seen the Vegas Golden Knights trade forward Evgenii Dadonov to the Anaheim Ducks. The deal would’ve seen the Golden Knights flip Dadonov and a conditional 2024 second-round pick to the Ducks for defenseman John Moore and the contract of forward Ryan Kesler which could’ve been stashed on LTIR. Kesler hasn’t played since 2018-19 due to a career-ending hip injury.
Gear: How Dadonov-Gate happened and how to prevent it going forward
Chris Gear (Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) When it comes to paperwork and detailed record keeping, compliance with the NHL collective bargaining agreement can be more onerous than complying with the income tax rules of the IRS or CRA. Every move a team makes is part of a complicated disclosure process that allows the NHL to account for the whereabouts of each player and each dollar of cap space at all times. Sending a player to (or recalling a player from) the AHL?
Ottawa Senators acquire Travis Hamonic from the Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks have traded defenseman Travis Hamonic to the Ottawa Senators for a third round pick. The #Canucks are getting their own 2022 third-round pick back from #Sens in exchange for Travis Hamonic. No salary retained. — Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 20, 2022 The Canucks appear to be trying to offload some of their bad contracts, and they found a taker in Ottawa for Hamonic’s. The defenseman is currently in the first year of a two year deal with a $3 million cap hit.
Toronto Maple Leafs acquire defenseman Mark Giordano from Seattle Kraken
Feb 19, 2022; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Seattle Kraken defenseman Mark Giordano (5) reacts to the video ceremony prior to the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a huge splash less than 24 hours before the NHL’s trade deadline with a Norris Trophy winner and hometown talent returning to The Six.
Waiver Wire: Maple Leafs waive Petr Mrazek, sign goalie Harri Sateri
The Toronto Maple Leafs placed Petr Mrazek on waivers on Sunday, one day prior to the NHL’s March 21 trade deadline. Mrazek is in the first year of a three year contract he signed with the team in the summer, and is making $3.8 million a season. He was brought in to be a reliable second option behind Jack Campbell, but has been anything but thus far.
Boston Bruins extend Hampus Lindholm for 8 years
Nov 28, 2021; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Hampus Lindholm (47) moves the puck against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Just a day after trading for him, the Boston Bruins have signed defenseman Hampus Lindholm to an eight year contract extension with a $6.5 million cap hit.
McKenna: When a team breaks a fan's heart at the trade deadline
On Mar. 5th, 1991, my hometown St. Louis Blues traded Geoff Courtnall, Sergio Momesso, Cliff Ronning, Robert Dirk, and a 1992 fifth-round draft pick to the Vancouver Canucks for Garth Butcher and Dan Quinn. I was apoplectic. It didn’t make any sense to me then, and it still doesn’t today. Geoff Courtnall was a massive part of the Blues offense that season, Momesso played a pivotal role as a power forward, and Cliff Ronning was an exciting homegrown talent.
Gear's Grades: Cornered Flyers get reasonable return for Giroux
Claude Giroux ( Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports) The Trade The Philadelphia Flyers ended weeks of speculation by trading their captain, Claude Giroux, to the Florida Panthers for a package that included Florida’s 2024 first-round pick, its 2023 third-round pick and right winger Owen Tippett The Flyers also retained 50 percent of Giroux’s salary. Along with Giroux, Florida received Philly’s 2024 fifth-round pick and prospects Connor Bunnaman and German Rubtsov.
Gear's Grades: Ducks get great haul for Hampus Lindholm
Hampus Lindholm (Sergei Belsaki-USA TODAY Sports) The Trade The Anaheim Ducks established themselves as sellers earlier this week by dealing pending UFA defenseman Josh Manson. They continued the process Saturday, trading longtime top-pair blueliner Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins for defenseman Urho Vaakanainen, defenseman John Moore, a 2022 first-round pick, a 2023 second-round pick, and 2024 second-round pick. Did Anaheim get a good enough return for its stalwart defenseman?
Burnside: Favorite trade deadline moments
Brian Boyle (Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports) There are all kinds of reasons to remember NHL trade deadlines. They might have been moments that helped restock a barren shelf for a team at a low ebb or added that small, missing piece to the playoff puzzle. Occasionally – and this is rarer than you might imagine – they added that big-name piece that made all the difference. Maybe the reasons to remember the deadline are more subtle or personal.
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/19/22 - Daily Faceoff
Apr 17, 2021; Buffalo, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres goaltender Dustin Tokarski (31) watches the puck during the third period against the Pittsburgh Penguins at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports The Daily Faceoff Morning Report will be released on weekdays, recapping the key news and events from the day before.
Gear's Grades: Lightning win now, Blackhawks win later in Brandon Hagel trade
Brandon Hagel (Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports) The Trade As first reported by Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Chicago Blackhawks have traded left winger Brandon Hagel and two fourth-round picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Tampa’s first-round pick in each of 2023 and 2024 (both of which are top-10 protected and will shift to future years if the Bolts are in a top-10 draft spot), plus forwards Boris Katchouk and Taylor Raddysh.
DFO Roundtable: Who is the 2022 trade deadline's most intriguing player?
The months have whittled down to weeks and, now, just two days remain until the 2022 trade deadline. Let’s go big-game hunting. Who is the most intriguing player to watch leading up to March 21 at 3:00 p.m. ET? FRANK SERAVALLI: I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t fascinated to see whether Jakob Chychrun is moved after months on the market. But I’m really intrigued about Tyler Bertuzzi from the Detroit Red Wings.
Daily Faceoff Morning Report — 03/18/22 - Daily Faceoff
The Daily Faceoff Morning Report will be released on weekdays, recapping the key news and events from the day before. We will highlight injuries that will affect today’s games, hot streaks, cold streaks, and anything relevant for everyone from the casual hockey fan to the Fantasy Hockey grinder.
Gear: Everything that happens after a player gets traded
When two General Managers hang up the phone after agreeing to a trade, it may seem like the work is done. It is the culmination of sometimes weeks or months of discussion, crystallized by both sides giving the deal their final blessing. Yet, before the players will actually set foot on the ice for their new teams, a lot of behind-the-scenes work still needs to be done. In a lot of ways, a team’s work really begins when the trade is completed.
Dallas Stars place Andrej Sekera on waivers
Nov 18, 2021; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Stars defenseman Andrej Sekera (5) argues a penalty during the second period against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports The Dallas Stars have placed defenseman Andrej Sekera on waivers, Frank Seravalli reports.
Ice Breakers: Golden Knights' Lehner could miss remainder of regular season
Robin Lehner (Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports) Frank Seravalli was back with more news and nuggets in another edition of Ice Breakers on Thursday’s Daily Faceoff Show: > For the first time, Vegas coach Pete DeBoer was critical of the Golden Knights’ goaltending after a 7-3 thrashing by the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. “We just didn’t get in front of enough pucks,” DeBoer said when asked about the goaltending. “It’s pretty simple.
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