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The Weekly 5-on-5: Record setting, number retirement, career milestones, and birthdays

Jesse Montano Avatar
Jesse Montano
March 7, 2022
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We’re back for another edition of the Weekly 5-on-5.

Lots going on in the world of hockey this past week, Cale Makar continues to climb in the record books, there was another number sent to the rafters, this time in Columbus, and the IIHF sent a strong message with its ruling on the Russian national teams immediate future on the international stage.

Let’s get into it.

1. IIHF, among others, temporarily cutting ties with Russia

At this point, everyone is familiar to some extent with the terrible, heartbreaking things that are taking place in Ukraine, and there’s quite a bit of speculation and wondering how the hockey world, more specifically the IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation), would respond given how international the game is.

Now, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a little worried that the response we were going to see was disappointing. The hockey community typically does everything it can to avoid portraying its players and personnel in any sort of negative light or single anyone out.

Uhh… let’s just say that they have stepped up to the plate big time.

The IIHF was among the first to publicly pass down its condemnation of Russia’s abhorrent actions by saying that not only was it pulling the 2023 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships from Novosibirsk and Omsk, but that it was banning teams from Russia and Belarus from competing in any IIHF sanctioned tournaments “until further notice”.

This is a huge deal. Sports, and more specifically hockey, mean a great deal to Russian Dictator Vladimir Putin. He sees sports not as fun competition, but as ways for Russians to show their physical dominance. So his nation not being allowed to compete, let alone host, in these tournaments is a huge blow and shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

Also of note, this summer’s IIHF World Championships are set to take place partially at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki Finland, which is owned by Gennady Timchenko, who has strong Russian ties. Timchenko is on the KHL Board of Governors and is the President of the SKA Saint Petersburg hockey club. While no official decision has been announced at the time of writing this, it’s widely believed the tournament will find a new venue to play in.

Shortly thereafter, the NHL followed suit (as much as it could) by saying that it was suspending all business relationships in Russia, taking down all of its Russian language digital media platforms, as well as dropping any consideration for events involving Russia. Again, nothing had been officially decided, but there was a lot of speculation that the NHL was working with the KHL to stage exhibition games between some of the top teams from both leagues.

Needless to say, that plan has been thrown out the window. 

The most recent company to announce that it is taking a hearty step away from Russia and its athletes is CCM, saying they are suspending the use of all Russian hockey players in any of its promotional material. They acknowledged that while the players aren’t directly responsible for what is going on overseas, they felt it was necessary to make this move.

2. Goalie goal

OK ok, I know it was against the Colorado Eagles, so that’s a bit of a bummer if you’re an Avs fan, but seeing goalies score is always awesome. 

Dostal falling down as he shoots does dock him a few cool points.

3. Rick Nash has number retired by Columbus

Saturday night saw Rick Nash’s #61 sent to the rafters by the organization that drafted him. It was the first number ever retired by the Blue Jackets, and it’ll probably be the only one up there for quite a while.

It’s easy to forget just how good Nash was, given that his best years were spent on a less-than-spectacular Blue Jackets team, but he was awesome. Size, speed, skill, and a scoring touch.

Congratulations to Rick Nash, and the entire Columbus organization. Looking forward to seeing what Nash ends up doing on the executive side of things.

4. Nick Schmaltz’s big night

It has been a season of few highlights for the Arizona Coyotes, so anytime they have something to rally around, or deem as “good news” they’ll take it.

It looked like it was going to be a night to forget after blowing a 4-0 lead to the Ottawa Senators, that is until they exploded for four goals of their own in the third period, to eventually win the game 8-5.

Of their eight goals, Nick Schmaltz was in on seven of them, including two goals. 

It was the most points in a single game in Coyotes franchise history, and the most points in a single game in the NHL since 2012 when Sam Gagner had eight (4G, 4A) back in 2012 with the Oilers.

5. Rickard Rakell scores a tricky, controversial OT winner

The Anaheim Ducks have an uphill battle when it comes to getting into the playoffs, but the fact that they are in contention at all is a wonder to behold. Nobody expected them to be in the race.

They’ve kept themselves in the race this past week with a pair of thrilling one-goal wins, first in against Boston with less than a minute to go in regulation, then just 14 seconds into overtime against in-state rival San Jose Sharks.

The play they drew up to knock the Sharks off in overtime caused a bit of a stir and left the San Jose coaching staff pleading their case to officials well after the Ducks had left the ice.

I love this play, I’ve seen teams at the high-end amateur level run plays like this when playing against a heavy man-on-man system.

Adam Henrique won the face-off, and knew that his team having possession would mean the Sharks would man-up to try and limit Anaheim’s puck-moving options.

Henrique lulled his man, Logan Couture, in with a slow turn up ice, before slipping in the near-side bench door, and sending Rakell out the other end of the bench who was now in all alone and made no mistake.

The Sharks tried to argue that Rakell left the bench too early and should’ve been penalized for too many men. In my opinion, the Ducks timed it perfectly and the goal should’ve stood, which it did.

The Ducks just keep showing their creativity.

1. Jack Johnson plays his 1,000th NHL game

I know a lot of people were pretty skeptical when it was announced that the Avalanche had extended a PTO to Johnson before training camp this season. He was coming off an injury riddled season that saw him play in just 13 games with the New York rangers, and he was already several seasons removed from being a legitimate top 4 defenseman ion the NHL.

He came into camp and exceeded a lot of expectations and earned himself a contract. 

Since then he has been a pretty regular member of the lineup, save a game or two early in the season. The ceremony before the game was really cool, and it was made extremely obvious just how much his teammates like having him around.

He’s an easy guy to root for, and the night was a good reminder of just how solid of a career Jack  Johnson has had. Over 1,000 games with Los Angeles, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, and now Colorado, as well as an Olympic silver medal with Team USA in 2010.

Johnson’s quote in the locker room when he was addressing his teammates after he was given the game puck was my favorite part of the night, “It was a big night for me, but like I said before, WE have a lot bigger nights ahead of us, so let’s keep it rolling”.

Congratulations to Jack Johnson.

2. Jared Bednar turned 50 years old

Not really a huge storyline here, but this was just a good opportunity for me to reiterate how highly I think of Jared Bednar.

Now the Avalanche’s all-time wins leader for a head coach, Bednar has proven time and time again that Joe Sakic made the right decision by sticking with Bednar after an abysmal first season.

Jared Bednar to me just exemplifies what everybody is looking for right now out of their leaders. Communicates well, does everything he can to make his players feel comfortable and able to be themselves, and empowers them to play to their strengths. 

I also don’t think he gets enough credit for finding a way to take so many superstar players and putting them all together in such a cohesive way.

I’ve got a ton of respect for Bednar as a coach and just as a person. 

3. Avalanche call on Patrick Kane

It was reported this week that Colorado Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic put in a call to the NHL’s newest GM, Kyle Davidson of the Chicago Blackhawks, and more or less let him know that if the Hawks were looking to really kick off their rebuild with a bang, that the Avs would be interested in the services of one Patrick Kane. 

This doesn’t strike me as anything to keep an eye on at the deadline, though crazier things have happened I suppose, but something that I could see the Avalanche pursuing in the summertime when they have a little bit more flexibility.

By no means am I saying this is a sure thing. Chicago has made it known they’re in “seller” mode, but did say that Kane and Jonathan Toews were the two players they’d like to keep around, so we’ll see.

Look, I know they’d like to hold on to these two guys, but if they’re really looking to maximize their return, the haul they’d get in return for a guy like Kane could help set them up to actually start to turn things around.

Something to keep an eye on.

4. Cale Makar extends assist streak to 11 games

By picking up an assist on Nathan MacKinnon’s highlight-reel goal against the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, Cale Makar now owns the second-longest assist streak in franchise history, behind only Joe Sakic, who has a streak of 12 games.

It seems like it’s every month that Makar is putting his name in a new record book, whether it be with the Avalanche or in the NHL in general. He just finds ways to contribute seemingly every night, and it’s part of why he’s the odds-on favorite to win the Norris Trophy this year.

At the time of writing this Makar now sits at 60 points on the year and leads all defensemen in points. There are a lot of really good defensemen in the NHL right now, but Makar is truly just on another level.

5. Bowen Byram back with the team

Avs standout rookie Bowen Byram hasn’t played in a game since January 10th, as he continues to deal with lingering symptoms from some head-related issues.

There has been a lot of talk about whether or not Byram would be back for this season, or if he would be shut down until next year to make sure that there was no question about him getting enough time to make sure he’s fully healthy.

The team has been consistent in their messaging saying that Byram will only return when he’s ready. Well, don’t look now, but there are some signs that he’s getting close to being ready.

Byram has been skating regularly by himself, and Jared Bednar has said that the team’s plan is to continue ramping up Byram’s workload as he feels more comfortable.

I really think Byram wants to come back this season, and I think he’s going to try. Will it be before the trade deadline? That I’m not sure, but I expect to see him back at some point, to some extent.

Real quick, he was mentioned in a rumor involving the Vancouver Canucks, but don’t read too much into that. Lots of names are flying around this time of year as potential trade packages are floated back and forth, and in most situations, nothing comes of it.

It would take a next-level player coming back in return for the Avs to let Byram go this early in such a promising career.

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