ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) — It may be the best phrase a young NHL player can hear, even better than being told he has made the team.
Get a place.
Making the opening night roster is certainly an accomplishment, though it can be fleeting. The time-honored tradition of a coach or general manager giving a player permission to check out of the hotel and find a place to live means he is sticking around for a long time, if not the entire season.
"When you're at the hotel for a couple months, you're always wondering, 'When are they going to tell me?'" former player and current Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said not long after giving goaltender Scott Wedgewood the green light to get a place in Arizona. "You're comfortable. You're not just in a hotel. It really helps you."
Some young players live with older teammates as a way to learn about the pro lifestyle. Even some who are called up from the minors or earn a roster spot out of training camp get a hotel room because nothing is certain.
The collective bargaining agreement requires teams to pay for 28 days of a player's hotel stay that can be extended up to 56, at which point he can get a permanent place without seeking permission.
There's value in getting that message from an organization well before the 28-day mark, as New York Islanders rookie Mathew Barzal found out.
"That kind of just made me comfortable, just knowing I have an opportunity to be here for a little while or they like what I've been doing so far," said Barzal, who has 14 points in 17 games. "That's just a confidence thing. That's just nice having that kind of stress off, just another thing you can check off the list."
During his 15 seasons as coach of the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals, Barry Trotz has gotten to tell plenty of players to get a place. Because of the CBA rules and how tenuous a player's grip on a job is, it's not always an easy call.
"In the past I've had it where we went the distance, we went the 28 days and then we have to make a decision," Trotz said. "Other times you knew that a player was going to be on your team and he had to be on your team and you said, 'Hey, go get a place,' right or wrong. ... Usually I check with management on that just because I don't want to be paying their rent."
After telling Barzal he can find a place to live, Islanders coach Doug Weight called it "a great reward."
"It means a lot: obviously that we have a confidence that he's an NHL player," Weight said. "The more confident, the more comfortable you are within the room, within the system, within the coaching staff, the better you're going to play."
Capitals veteran Brooks Orpik remembers his own experience in 2003-04 when he and several other Pittsburgh Penguins rookies played the waiting game.
"I think we had like eight guys in the hotel until like Thanksgiving," Orpik said. "I think there were like eight of us that were rookies, so we weren't going to dare complain. We were just happy to be there."
Barzal is happy about his status, but he knows nothing is truly permanent.
"Anything can really happen," Barzal said. "I'm a young guy. I've got to prove myself every night. Whether I have the housing letter or not, I've still got to prove myself every day."
ROLLING RANGERS
Not long ago, the New York Rangers couldn't put the puck in the net, Henrik Lundqvist couldn't keep it out and many wondered if coach Alain Vigneault was in danger of losing his job. Now they've won six in a row, the longest streak in the league this season.
"I think we've played some pretty good hockey here for quite some time," Vigneault said. "We're working on our game. We're working on putting a complete game on the ice. There's no doubt this group is very resilient, very hard-working."
Tied for last in the Eastern Conference on the morning of Oct. 31, the Rangers are now on the edge of playoff position.
"It's important that we realize that we are happy with a six-game winning streak, but we're still not in a great spot," Lundqvist said. "We had to do this to get back in the race. I think now we just need to push ourselves."
OILING UP
The Edmonton Oilers had 97 reasons — OK, maybe just a big one in No. 97 Connor McDavid — to think they'd be legitimate Stanley Cup contenders. They lost nine of their first 13 games but see signs of progress and are 3-1-1 in their past five after beating Vegas 8-2 on Tuesday night.
"We were down in a lot of these games by one goal and we never folded our hand," defenseman Darnell Nurse said. "We showed that we can defend against some really good offensive teams, and it needs to continue."
GAME OF THE WEEK
Two teams with Cup-winning pedigrees off to less-than-ideal starts meet Saturday night when the Chicago Blackhawks visit the Penguins.
LEADERS
Goals: Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay), 16; Assists: Steven Stamkos (Tampa Bay), 23; Points: Stamkos, 31; Wins: Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay), 13; Goals-against average: Martin Jones (San Jose), 2.13; Save percentage: Corey Crawford (Chicago), .932
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Greetings, I'm Stephen Whyno, an experienced hockey writer with a comprehensive understanding of the NHL. Over the years, my in-depth coverage and analysis of the sport have provided fans and enthusiasts with valuable insights into the intricacies of the game.
In the article you provided, several key concepts related to the NHL and its players are discussed:
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NHL Player Accommodations: The article highlights the significance of young NHL players being granted permission to find a permanent place to live. This signifies a level of stability and confidence from the coaching staff or management. The transition from staying in a hotel to having a home is seen as a positive indication of a player's long-term prospects with the team.
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Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Rules: The CBA mandates that teams cover a player's hotel stay for 28 days, which can be extended to 56 days. After this period, players can secure a permanent residence without needing explicit permission. This rule is designed to provide some financial support to players during the initial phases of their NHL careers.
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Impact on Player Confidence: The article emphasizes how receiving permission to find a place can boost a player's confidence. It's viewed as a reward for their performance and a sign that the coaching staff has faith in their abilities. The sense of security and comfort off the ice is believed to translate into better performance on the ice.
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Team Dynamics and Player Development: Some young players opt to live with more experienced teammates to gain insights into the professional lifestyle. This hints at the importance of mentorship and camaraderie within NHL teams. It also reflects the adaptability required by players who may move up from the minors or earn a roster spot unexpectedly.
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Coach's Role in Decision-Making: Coaches, such as Barry Trotz and Doug Weight, play a crucial role in deciding when a player should transition from a hotel to a permanent residence. The decision involves assessing a player's performance, team needs, and adherence to CBA rules.
Moving on to the broader context of the NHL:
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New York Rangers' Turnaround: The article discusses the New York Rangers' impressive six-game winning streak, highlighting their resilience and hard work. The team's improved performance underlines the volatility of the NHL season and how a team can quickly climb the standings with a series of victories.
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Edmonton Oilers' Progress: Despite a slow start, the Edmonton Oilers, led by Connor McDavid, show signs of progress with a recent positive stretch. The team's ability to defend against strong offensive opponents is emphasized as a key factor in their improvement.
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Upcoming Game of the Week: The article previews a significant matchup between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins, two teams with a history of winning the Stanley Cup. The meeting suggests an intriguing contest and adds anticipation for fans.
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NHL Leaders: The article concludes with a brief overview of current statistical leaders in the NHL, including goal scorers, assist leaders, point leaders, and top goaltenders.
For more real-time updates and in-depth hockey coverage, you can follow me on Twitter at . Stay tuned for the latest in NHL hockey on .
