Hot Button: Showing the Love, Packers extend QB ... Upon further review, Super Bowl LXVII most-watched ever ... Devils smother, eliminate Rangers in Game 7

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PACKERS EXTEND LOVE,
BYPASSING OPTION

Tuesday, May 2: The Packers have signed presumptive starter Jordan Love to a one-year, $22.5 million contract extension, just one day after picking up Love’s fifth-year option. 

The contract will take effect next season, taking the place of the option year, which would have been a fully guaranteed $20.27 million. This extension pays Love more, but gives the Packers flexibility with only $13.5 million guaranteed. 

It will be Love’s first season as starter, following the departure of Aaron Rodgers to the Jets via trade, with Green Bay holding over $40 million in dead cap on Rodgers’ contract in 2023. 

The Packers front office got creative through contract restructures to fit Love’s extension under the cap. More will be needed. After signing their draft class, the team will have less than $100,000 in cap space.

My take: A transition year in Green Bay, unless Love shines as the starter — entirely possible — but the purse strings are tight this season. They get the windfall in 2024 from being out from under Rodgers’ contract, so the ideal would be for Love to grow into the starting role, improve throughout the season and make a reasonable sum with plenty of cap room to fill the holes in the roster. However, if he does well Green Bay will not have the luxury of paying less for an inexperienced quarterback and will be right back up into the upper echelon of QB payroll. — Bob

SUPER BOWL LVII MOST-WATCHED
U.S. SPORTING EVENT EVER

Tuesday, May 2: The officials have looked at it from every angle and upon further review decided that January’s Super Bowl LXVII was the most-watched non-news event in U.S. history, with an estimated 115.1 million U.S. viewers across all platforms, besting Super Bowl XLIX between the Patriots and Seahawks, which drew in 114.4 million. 

It was determined that there were “irregularities in the encoding that enables Nielsen's measurement of TV viewing as well as in the measurement of out-of-home viewing," according to Fox Sports, which broadcast the game.

This correction makes the game between the Chiefs and Eagles the second most-watched televised event in U.S. history after the moon landing in 1969, when an estimated 125-150 million out of 202 million U.S. citizens watched.

The most-watched scripted television event remains the final episode of M*A*S*H at 105.9 million in 1983.

My take: Breaking news! This just in … the Super Bowl is popular! These numbers are all because of streaming and I would suspect that the numbers will increase as people’s abilities to watch the game increase through technology — as long as the matchup is intriguing. It’s important, too, to recognize that Nielsen only started measuring streaming views in the last three years. — Bob

DEVILS ELIMINATE RANGERS
BEHIND ROOKIE GOALIE

Monday, May 1: Rookie Akira Schmid made 27 saves to shutout the Rangers for the second time in three games as New Jersey eliminated New York in Game 7, 4-0. It was the first playoff series win for the Devils since 2012. 

The Devils smothered the Rangers throughout, limiting their zone time and creating numerous odd-man breaks. Igor Shesterkin had to make several stellar saves to keep the Rangers in the game, but fourth-liner Michael McLeod broke the ice for the game-winner, a shorthanded goal halfway through the second period, set up by a terrific forecheck, turnover and pass from Ondrej Palat. MacLeod showed good hands and patience in putting it past Shesterkin:

When Tomas Tatar scored nearly six minutes later — terrific drive to the net and assist by former Penguins defenseman John Marino — the game seemed out of reach with the way the Devils defended. It turned out to be true. Eric Haula and Jesper Bratt (empty net) scored third-period goals to ice the series. 

Schmid was stellar after taking over for Vitek Vanacek with the Devils down two games to none, giving up one goal twice and two shutouts in his four wins over the final five games.

The Devils now face the Hurricanes in the second round, beginning Wednesday night in Raleigh. The Canes and Devils are the only teams remaining in the playoffs to have won a Stanley Cup this century, with Carolina the last to do it in 2006.

My take: Terrific series, but watching the Devils skate circles around the Rangers was reminiscent of those back-to-back Penguins championship teams from 2016 and 2017. Kind of nice, too, to have a Cup champ this year not of recent vintage. — Bob

RAVENS’ ILB QUEEN TO BE
FREE AGENT IN 2024

Monday, May 1: Ravens inside linebacker Patrick Queen will be a free agent in 2024, after the Ravens announced Monday they will not be picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Baltimore drafted Queen 28th overall out of LSU in the 2020 draft. Per the collective bargaining agreement, teams must decide whether or not to exercise the team‘s fifth-year option as first-round picks enter the fourth year of their rookie contracts.

Queen will make $3.87 million in 2023, counting nearly that much against the cap. If the Ravens had exercised the option, he would have made almost $12.75 million in 2024. 

Queen, 23, has 321 tackles over three seasons (213 solo), 28 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 27 quarterback hits, 5 forced fumbles, 5 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions.

The Ravens invested heavily in 2022 All-Pro inside backer Roquan Smith, whom they acquired from the Bears at the trade deadline last season, giving Smith a 5-year, $100-million extension — a record at the position. Baltimore set another record recently, making Lamar Jackson the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history by annual average value, at 5 years and $260 million.

My take: Have to cut somewhere. The Ravens don’t have the luxury of tying up $33 million on inside linebackers next year. Queen has been productive and will get paid. He has every incentive now to play for that second contract and Baltimore can be the beneficiaries of that in 2023. — Bob

KRAKEN ELIMINATE REIGNING CUP
CHAMPS IN FIRST PLAYOFF SERIES

Monday, May 1: The Kraken, in their first-ever playoff appearance, eliminated the reigning Stanley Cup champion Avalanche in the first round, winning Game 7 Sunday night in Denver, 2-1. The Avalanche now have the dubious distinction of having lost six consecutive Game 7s, while the Kraken become the first expansion team to defeat a reigning Cup champion in their franchise’s first playoff series.

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, his first goals of these playoffs, by the 7:22 mark of the second period, the eventual game-winner a snipe off the post and in:

The true star was Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer, who got revenge on his former mates, making 33 saves, many on high danger chances, against the potent Colorado offense. 

Prominent among the Avalanche was Nathan MacKinnon, who was originally credited with the Avs first goal before it was changed on review to Mikko Rantanen, and MacKinnon appeared to tie the game in the third period on a slapper from the high slot early in the third period, but it was challenged and ruled offside — winger Valeri Nichuskin never cleared the offensive zone as Cale Makar entered, following a neutral-zone turnover.

With the Lightning having been eliminated Saturday night by the Maple Leafs, both of last season’s finalists are out of the Stanley Cup chase in the first round.

The Kraken will now face the Stars in Round 2.

My take: The Kraken, hot off a 40-point improvement from their inaugural season, played a great series. They caught the Avalanche at a good time, as the team battled injuries, but they took the lead in every game of the series and found a way to win four of them. They are a true wild-card, in every sense. — Bob

PANTHERS RUIN BRUINS
RECORD-SETTING SEASON

Sunday, April 30: Carter Verhaeghe scored on a wrist shot from the right dot at 8:35 of overtime to defeat the Bruins, 4-3, and win the series-deciding Game 7 at TD Garden in Boston, ending the Bruins’ historic journey on which it set National Hockey League regular-season records in wins, home wins and points. Florida put together a strong forecheck and Matthew Tkachuk provided a perfect screen on Verhaeghe’s series-winner:

The Bruins blew a 3-1 series lead to end up in a Game 7 and were down 2-0 early in the second period, with Florida dictating play. David Krejci, who factored on all three Boston goals, gave the Bruins new life with a power-play tally to cut the lead to one entering the third period. 

The Bruins looked every bit the league’s best team in the third period, swarming on every shift and smothering on defense, and scored twice in the first 4:11 to take a 3-2 lead. It appeared Boston had salvaged its season, but Florida defenseman Brandon Montour scored his second goal of the game, with the goalie pulled and just one-minute remaining, to send it to overtime.

The Panthers will now face the Maple Leafs in the second round.

My take: What a waste. The Curse of the Presidents’ Trophy strikes again. A great series, but Boston was the better team and should have won. Great job by the Panthers, who finished the season playing well and carried it into the playoffs, eliminating the best regular-season team ever. Going to be a harsh spring and summer in Boston. Will Bergeron retire again? — Bob

SKINNER UNLUCKY, SERVES UP
EASY TYING GOAL TO KINGS

Sunday, April 30: Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner looked to be taking the lead in Hot Button's “Jarry Award” race, when he seemingly whiffed on an outlet pass and gifted the puck atop the crease to Kings forward Phillip Danault for a game-tying short-handed goal in the third period:

Skinner gets a reprieve, however, because replay shows his stick breaking shortly above the blade as he attempted the pass, making it an equipment, not a mental, malfunction. 

Kailer Yamamoto bailed out Skinner nine minutes later, scoring the game- and series-winner, as Edmonton advanced with a 5-4 win, eliminating Los Angeles in 6 games.

My take: Boy, that looked really bad at first glance, but replay keeps Linus Ullmark in the "Jarry" lead. Great response by Edmonton and a good series win against a very tough Kings team. Entertaining series, start to finish. Deserved a Game 7 ... except for those who live in Alberta. — Bob

LEAFS ADVANCE FOR FIIST TIME
SINCE 2004, BOLTS RUN ENDS

Saturday, April 29: The Lightning’s three-year run as Eastern Conference champions has come to an end. John Tavares scored at 4:35 of overtime to give the Maple Leafs their first playoff series win since 2004, ousting the Bolts in 6 games with the 2-1 win Saturday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa. It took some puck luck, going in of a skate, but the it counted in the biggest way possible:

The last time the Leafs won a playoff series, Pat Quinn was their head coach and Mats Sundin was the captain of a roster featuring Ron Francis, Gary Roberts, Owen Nolan, Joe Nieuwendyk, Tie Domi and Ed Belfour. They defeated the Senators in seven games in the first round before losing to the Flyers in the second round.

Now a young and talented roster is providing the storied franchise hope that it might have championship relevance, having not won a Stanley Cup since the same year Bart Starr and the Packers won Super Bowl I.

Toronto will now face the winner of Sunday’s Game 7 between the Panthers and Bruins.

My take: My goodness. Look at those celebrations on the bench, the box and the Toronto fans for a first-round series win. Almost kind of embarrassing. However, if the Pirates can win 20 games in April, the Maple Leafs can win a playoff series — it’s bizarro sports world.  — Bob

‘MR. IRRELEVANT’ D-LINEMAN
OUT OF TOLEDO

Saturday, April 29: After 25 compensatory picks and a record 43 trades during the 2023 NFL Draft, the last and ever-noteworthy pick went to the Rams at No. 259 in the seventh round. The last player taken is affectionately and ironically known as ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ and this year that distinction went to Desjuan Johnson, a defensive tackle from Toledo.

Johnson — 6 ft. 2 in. and 285 lbs. — had a productive senior season with the Rockets, totaling 65 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks and one interception.

He has a high motor and plays with strength, balance and good pad-level, according to several scouting profiles, but he has short arms and his body type projects better at defensive end instead of tackle at the NFL level, however his skill set is not suited at end. 

My take: Well, there is a fine history of the last player taken in pro sports drafts. Brock Purdy flashed big-time for the 49ers last year, and the Penguins don’t win two Stanley Cups without Patric Hornqvist, taken last in 2005. 259 is pretty high — the comp picks make him the equivalent of a drafted UFA — but it will be up to the player in the end, whether he makes it or not, assuming the team gives him a fair shot. Here’s hoping for another good “irrelevant” story in 2023. — Bob

PASTR-’NASTY’ GOAL NOT ENOUGH,
PANTHERS FORCE GAME 7

Friday, April 28: The Panthers have forced the Bruins into an all-or-nothing Game 7 after a 7-5 victory Friday night in Sunrise, Florida. 

The Panther led 3-2 entering the third period, but the two teams combined for 7 goals in the final 20 minutes, with the Bruins scoring three in the first 10:22 to take a 5-4 lead. But Matthew Tkachuk tied it just 27 seconds later on the power play and Eetu Luostarinen scored the game-winner at 14:22 after Brandon Montour made a nice play to prevent a Bruins zone clearance.

David Pastrnak had two power-play goals, the first setting the internet ablaze — a stunning shot to tie the game at 2-2 in the second period.