NHL Weekly Recap: April 3

Story posted April 3, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Anthony Desher

With a little less than a month to go in the regular season, let’s see what’s going on around the league this week as teams get ready for the final stretch.

Eugene Melnyk Passes At Age 62

The Ottawa Senators released a statement Monday night stating that the team’s owner, Eugene Melnyk, passed away at 62 from an illness. Thoughts and prayers to Melnyk’s family and the rest of the Senators organization through this difficult time.

Senators Ink Sanderson

The Senators also announced that they have signed defensive prospect Jake Sanderson to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 19-year-old was the fifth overall selection in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and committed to the University of North Dakota. In two seasons with the Fighting Hawks, Sanderson posted 41 points in 45 games while also leading the team’s defense in points this season with 26 points.

Yandle’s Streak Ends

Flyers defenseman Keith Yandle had his record-breaking 989 consecutive games played streak end on Saturday as he was a healthy scratch.

Yandle only needed 11 more games to reach 1,000, and with the Flyers having 14 games left, it was easily doable. Now, Phil Kessel has the chance to take first place as he has 968 consecutive games under his belt.

Flyers Find Their Reinforcements

The Philadelphia Flyers cleared up some contracts during the trade deadline to leave some room for their upcoming collegiate players. Former Minnesota-Duluth captain and U.S.A Olympian Noah Cates signed his two-year, entry-level deal with the club just in time for his debut in his home state of Minnesota against the Wild on Tuesday.

Cates put up 24 points this season in 37 games with the Bulldogs. The forward was the 137th selection in the 2017 draft and is now being reunited with his brother, Jackson Cates, in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia made another signing not too long after, as Western Michigan University defenseman Ronnie Attard also signed a two-year entry-level deal. The 23-year-old scored 36 points in 39 games with the Broncos this season.

Attard was the 72nd pick in the 2019 draft, and with the Flyers needing some defensive help, his puck-moving abilities can really bolster the lineup.

Goligoski Gets Extended

Minnesota Wild defenseman Alex Goligoski has agreed to a two-year extension worth four million dollars. The 36-year-old Minnesota native has produced 28 points in 58 games and has been a reliable defensive option for the Wild.

Hall and Jeannot Fined

Boston Bruins forward Taylor Hall has been fined $5,000 for roughing Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin, the maximum fine allowed.

Nashville Predators forward Tanner Jeannot also received a $2,000 fine as he was responsible for kneeing Senators forward Brady Tkachuk.

Clayton Keller to Miss Rest of Season

Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller suffered a scary leg injury Wednesday night against the San Jose Sharks.

Keller lost his footing and crashed awkwardly into the boards late in the game. He was stretched off of the ice and taken to the nearest hospital.

Keller has been one of the few positives for this Arizona team, and will now be out 4-6 months.

McDavid Does It Again

To no one’s surprise, Oilers forward Connor McDavid is the first player to reach 100 points this season.

His linemate, Leon Draisaitl, is only three points behind with 97 and looks to be the next player to reach the milestone. This is McDavid’s fifth 100+ point season in his seven years in the league.

Matthews Tallies 50

Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews is the first player to reach 50 goals this season, putting him in the lead for the Rocket Richard Trophy. This is Matthews’ new career-high in goals, topping his previous 47 back in the 2019-2020 season.

The Leafs have 14 games left in the season so it is likely that Matthews reaches magical number 60 by the end of the year.


Anthony Desher is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.