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In fact, he argued, it could have been a culinary conspiracy concocted by criminals, whose actions led to the cooking wine used to prepare the noodles being laced with a banned heart drug that found its way into an athlete's system. This theory was spelled out to international anti-doping officials during a meeting and, after weeks of wrangling, finally made it into the thousands of pages of data handed over to the lawyer who investigated the case involving 23 Chinese swimmers who had tested positive for that same drug. The attorney, appointed by the World Anti-Doping Agency, refused to consider that scenario as he sifted through the evidence. In spelling out his reasoning, lawyer Eric Cottier paid heed to the half-baked nature of the theory. "The Investigator considers this scenario, which he has described in the conditional tense, to be possible, no less, no more," Cottier wrote. Even without the contaminated-noodles theory, Cottier found problems with the way WADA and the Chinese handled the case but ultimately determined WADA had acted reasonably in not appealing China's conclusion that its athletes had been inadvertently contaminated. Critics of the way the China case was handled can't help but wonder if a wider exploration of the noodle theory, details of which were discovered by The Associated Press via notes and emails from after the meeting where it was delivered, might have lent a different flavor to Cottier's conclusions. "There are more story twists to the ways the Chinese explain the TMZ case than a James Bond movie," said Rob Koehler, the director general of the advocacy group Global Athlete. "And all of it is complete fiction." In April, reporting from the New York Times and the German broadcaster ARD revealed that the 23 Chinese swimmers had tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine, also known as TMZ. China's anti-doping agency determined the athletes had been contaminated, and so, did not sanction them. WADA accepted that explanation, did not press the case further, and China was never made to deliver a public notice about the "no-fault findings," as is often seen in similar cases. The stock explanation for the contamination was that traces of TMZ were found in the kitchen of a hotel where the swimmers were staying. In his 58-page report, Cottier relayed some suspicions about the feasibility of that chain of events — noting that WADA's chief scientist "saw no other solution than to accept it, even if he continued to have doubts about the reality of contamination as described by the Chinese authorities." But without evidence to support pursuing the case, and with the chance of winning an appeal at almost nil, Cottier determined WADA's "decision not to appeal appears indisputably reasonable." A mystery remained: How did those traces of TMZ get into the kitchen? Shortly after the doping positives were revealed, the Institute of National Anti-Doping Organizations held a meeting on April 30 where it heard from the leader of China's agency, Li Zhiquan. Li's presentation was mostly filled with the same talking points that have been delivered throughout the saga — that the positive tests resulted from contamination from the kitchen. But he expanded on one way the kitchen might have become contaminated, harkening to another case in China involving a low-level TMZ positive. A pharmaceutical factory, he explained, had used industrial alcohol in the distillation process for producing TMZ. The industrial alcohol laced with the drug "then entered the market through illegal channels," he said. The alcohol "was re-used by the perpetrators to process and produce cooking wine, which is an important seasoning used locally to make beef noodles," Li said. "The contaminated beef noodles were consumed by that athlete, resulting in an extremely low concentration of TMZ in the positive sample. "The wrongdoers involved have been brought to justice." This new information raised eyebrows among the anti-doping leaders listening to Li's report. So much so that over the next month, several emails ensued to make sure the details about the noodles and wine made their way to WADA lawyers, who could then pass it onto Cottier. Eventually, Li did pass on the information to WADA general counsel Ross Wenzel and, just to be sure, one of the anti-doping leaders forwarded it, as well, according to the emails seen by the AP. All this came with Li's request that the noodles story be kept confidential. Turns out, it made it into Cottier's report, though he took the information with a grain of salt. "Indeed, giving it more attention would have required it to be documented, then scientifically verified and validated," he wrote. Neither Wenzel nor officials at the Chinese anti-doping agency returned messages from AP asking about the noodles conspiracy and the other athlete who Li suggested had been contaminated by them. Meanwhile, 11 of the swimmers who originally tested positive competed at the Paris Games earlier this year in a meet held under the cloud of the Chinese doping case. Though WADA considers the case closed, Koehler and others point to situations like this as one of many reasons that an investigation by someone other than Cottier, who was hired by WADA, is still needed. "It gives the appearance that people are just making things up as they go along on this, and hoping the story just goes away," Koehler said. "Which clearly it has not."Breaking down Arizona State’s tiebreaker scenarios as Big 12 title drive churns onShould the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers?
French lawmakers have passed a no-confidence vote against the government, throwing the European Union's second-biggest economic power deeper into a crisis that threatens its capacity to legislate and tame a massive budget deficit. Login or signup to continue reading Far-right and left-wing lawmakers joined forces on Wednesday to back a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with a majority 331 votes in support of the motion. Barnier has to tender his resignation and that of his government to President Emmanuel Macron, making his minority government's three-month tenure the shortest lived in France's Fifth Republic beginning in 1958. He is expected to do so on Thursday morning, French media reported. The hard left and far right punished Barnier for using special constitutional powers to adopt part of an unpopular budget without a final vote in parliament, where it lacked majority support. The draft budget had sought 60 billion euros ($A97.98 billion) in savings in a drive to shrink a gaping deficit. "This (deficit) reality will not disappear by the magic of a motion of censure," Barnier told lawmakers ahead of the vote, adding the budget deficit would come back to haunt whichever government comes next. No French government had lost a confidence vote since Georges Pompidou's in 1962. Macron ushered in the crisis by calling a snap election in June that delivered a polarised parliament. With its president diminished, France risks ending the year without a stable government or a 2025 budget, although the constitution allows special measures that would avert a US-style government shutdown. France's political turmoil will further weaken a European Union already reeling from the implosion of Germany's coalition government, and weeks before US President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The country's outgoing defence minister Sebastien Lecornu warned the turmoil could impact French support for Ukraine. The hard left France Unbowed (LFI) party demanded Macron's resignation. Barnier's political demise was cheered by far-right chief Marine Le Pen, who has sought for years to portray her National Rally party as a government in waiting. "I'm not pushing for Macron's resignation," she said. "The pressure on the president will get greater and greater. Only he will make that decision." France faces a period of deep political uncertainty that is already unnerving investors in French sovereign bonds and stocks. Earlier this week, France's borrowing costs briefly exceeded those of Greece, generally considered far more risky. Macron must now make a choice. The Elysee Palace said the president would address the nation on Thursday evening. Three sources told Reuters that Macron aimed to install a new prime minister swiftly, with one saying he wanted to name a premier before a ceremony to reopen the Notre-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, which Trump is due to attend. Any new prime minister would face the same challenges as Barnier in getting bills, including the 2025 budget, adopted by a divided parliament. There can be no new parliamentary election before July. Macron could alternatively ask Barnier and his ministers to stay on in a caretaker capacity while he takes time to identify a prime minister able to attract sufficient cross-party support to pass legislation. A caretaker government could either propose emergency legislation to roll the tax-and-spend provisions in the 2024 budget into next year, or invoke special powers to pass the draft 2025 budget by decree - though jurists say this is a legal grey area and the political cost would be huge. Macron's opponents also could vote down one prime minister after the next. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!Longview’s defense has been a game-changer throughout the 2024 football season, and will need to step up again when it faces Klein Collins’ high-scoring offensive attack during Saturday’s UIL 6A Division II Region II semifinal at Lufkin’s Abe Martin Stadium. Every Texas high school football program sets an early season goal to practice and play the week of Thanksgiving, and Longview appreciates the fact that it has reached this point over the past five seasons. “We’re very thankful for the opportunity to continue our season,” said Longview athletic director and head football coach John King. “It is nice to be practicing the week of Thanksgiving. We need to try and make the most of it.” Longview’s defensive play has been one of the biggest factors in this year’s run because it limited its first 12 opponents to an average of 16.5 points per game. That success rate is expected to be tested by a 7-5 Klein Collins’ offense that averaged 32 points in the same amount of outings this season, and earned a 70-21 area round win against The Woodlands College Park on Nov. 22, so the Lobos are preparing for players like Braydon Schoggin, Carlton Hayden, KaJuan Gathers and Ty’drick Finley. “They’re very potent,” King said of Longview’s opponent this week. “They’re good at running the football, and they can use the quarterback in the run game. They [also] control the ball with play-action [passes], so they’re going to be difficult to prepare for.” Luckily for 10-2 Longview, its defensive unit is finding its stride at the right time. It started the current month with back-to-back shutout wins against District 10-6A opponents North Forney and Royse City between Nov. 1 and Nov. 8. The group then recorded 28 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, four fumble recoveries, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, two defensive scores and one interception between the 23-13 bi-district playoff-opening home win against Naaman Forest at Lobo Stadium on Nov. 15 and the come-from-behind 35-28 overtime neutral site area round win against Lancaster at Dallas’ John Kincaide Stadium on Nov. 22. Many Longview players have contributed to their defense’s season-long and recent success. Kason Brooks has been the most efficient standout with 132 tackles, 31 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, three touchdowns, two pass breakups, one interception, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in 2024. Joining that production has been Jamayis Morrow’s 122 tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, two pass breakups and one sack, and Brenden Reese’s 106 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, one interception and one forced fumble. “Everybody’s important on the team, but our senior leadership has been good this year,” King said of Longview players like Brooks, Morrow and Reese. “Those guys have stepped up and led the right way.” Longview also benefited from fellow defensive leader Isaiah Horton’s 74 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 10 sacks, one fumble recovery and one touchdown during the first 11 games in 2024 before he suffered a season-ending injury during the bi-district outing. The Lobos have expected a lot from their reliable trio since the UIL postseason began, so they know a possible advancement past their 2023 UIL 5A Division I Region II semifinal finish will depend on the entire unit continuing to answer the call. That has already been on display through two playoff games because Morrow has produced 26 tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks, Brooks has recorded 24 tackles, eight sacks and five tackles for loss, and Reese has earned 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack. “Our defense has been strong all year, and it’s just a never-say-die mentality,” said King. “We’ve lost some guys to injury, and it’s been next man up.”
A recently viral video showing a woman kissing and cuddling a lion has taken social media by storm, leaving viewers both impressed and concerned. While the scene may seem heartwarming to some, it also raises important questions about the safety and ethics of interacting so closely with wild animals. According to the reports presented by various online media sources, in the video, the woman can be seen sitting with a large lion in her lap, offering kisses and gentle affection to the animal. Contrary to its usual portrayal as a fierce predator, the lion appears calm and relaxed, enjoying the woman’s company. The contrast between the lion’s natural instincts as a wild animal and its docile behavior in the video is striking. As per media reports, this rare moment of intimacy between a human and a wild animal has drawn over 1.1 million views on the social media platform X. Many viewers were moved by the tender connection on display, but the video has also sparked a heated debate about the potential risks of such interactions with dangerous animals. Watch here: I am amazed that a Lion can be so affectionate like this. Lucky her. pic.twitter.com/tOKTNS7GKn — Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) December 25, 2024 According to the reports, the video has generated mixed reactions, with viewers split between admiration and concern. On one hand, many are impressed by the beautiful bond between the woman and the lion. For these viewers, the moment represents a rare display of trust between a human and a wild animal. One user commented, “This is truly mesmerizing! Such a rare bond between a human and a lion.” On the other hand, critics are quick to point out the inherent dangers of getting too close to a wild animal. Despite the lion’s calm demeanor in the video, some worry about the unpredictable nature of such creatures. “This might look beautiful, but it’s incredibly risky. Lions are unpredictable,” warned one commenter. Another user expressed concern, saying, “Hope this lion doesn’t remember its wild instincts!” These concerns reflect the unpredictable behaviour of wild animals, which can change in an instant, even if they appear calm. In addition to the safety concerns, the video has sparked a conversation about the ethics of interacting with wild animals in captivity. Some viewers believe that videos like this could normalize the idea of treating wild animals as pets, which could lead to dangerous consequences for both humans and animals. “This normalizes the idea of keeping wild animals as pets, which is wrong,” one person pointed out. However, others defend the video, arguing that the lion’s behaviour demonstrates a special bond built on mutual respect. According to the sources, they argue that the calmness of the lion indicates a trusting relationship, rather than an instance of exploitation. “You can see the trust and bond here- - it’s not something you see every day,” one supporter commented. These viewers believe that the video highlights a rare and positive example of humans and wild animals coexisting peacefully. The video also raises important questions about the role of wild animals in human society and entertainment. According to media reports, some critics argue that interactions like this could promote the idea of wild animals being treated as pets or sources of entertainment, which could contribute to their mistreatment. “Wild animals belong in the wild, not as pets or entertainment,” one commenter wrote. On the other hand, some people argue that such moments can serve as educational opportunities, helping the public understand animal behavior and the importance of wildlife conservation. They believe that, when done responsibly, interactions like these can offer insights into the natural world and the potential for peaceful coexistence between humans and animals. At the heart of the debate is the question of respect: how can humans appreciate wild animals while also respecting their natural instincts? The video shows a rare, tender, and heartwarming connection between the woman and the lion, but it also raises the question of whether such interactions are appropriate, especially when shared for entertainment purposes.By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally. Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief who’s been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner. As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he’d nominate Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency who most recently has been the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs. They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security ; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Tom Homan as border czar ; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Scott led during Trump’s first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country’s borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he joined the agency, San Diego was by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Traffic plummeted after the government dramatically increased enforcement there, but critics note the effort pushed people to remote parts of California and Arizona. San Diego was also where wall construction began in the 1990s, which shaped Scott’s belief that barriers work. He was named San Diego sector chief in 2017. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump’s policies. “He’s well known. He does know these issues and obviously is trusted by the administration,” said Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner under the Obama administration. Kerlikowske took issue with some of Scott’s past actions, including his refusal to fall in line with a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like “illegal alien” in favor of descriptions like “migrant,” and his decision as San Diego sector chief to fire tear gas into Mexico to disperse protesters. “You don’t launch projectiles into a foreign country,” Kerlikowske said. At the time Scott defended the agents’ decisions , saying they were being assaulted by “a hail of rocks.” While much of the focus of Trump’s administration may be on illegal immigration and security along the U.S.-Mexico border, Kerlikowske also stressed the importance of other parts of Customs and Border Protection’s mission. The agency is responsible for securing trade and international travel at airports, ports and land crossings around the country. Whoever runs the agency has to make sure that billions of dollars worth of trade and millions of passengers move swiftly and safely into and out of the country. And if Trump makes good on promises to ratchet up tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, CBP will play an integral role in enforcing them. “There’s a huge amount of other responsibility on trade, on tourism, on cyber that take a significant amount of time and have a huge impact on the economy if it’s not done right,” Kerlikowske said. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump’s hard-line immigration agenda. He has appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He’s also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, he advocated for a return to Trump-era immigration policies and more pressure on Mexico to enforce immigration on its side of the border.
We are finally winding down another year and yet again we find ourselves on a renewed quest to improve our lives. Before we set the big holidays behind us, let’s welcome positivity and set intentions for the year ahead. Conclude 2024 with a grateful heart and reflect on how we can make life easier and more intentional for the coming year. Small improvements such as refining routines or creating spaces that truly support your lifestyle can set the pace for a smarter, and more rewarding year ahead. Here, we’ve gathered some hacks and smart home items for the most-visited rooms. To those who want to start fresh. Making simple but thoughtful upgrades can create a space that not only works harder for you but also inspires a sense of ease and purpose as you move into 2025. A Smarter Kitchen The kitchen is the hub of activity in any home, and smart upgrades can make it more efficient and enjoyable. Start with the Franke Onyx Two Built-In Induction Hob , perfect for small spaces with its sleek design and precision cooking capabilities. Pair it with the Hamden Range Hood Touch Control to maintain a clean, odor-free environment while adding a modern aesthetic. These appliances combine form and function, making your kitchen work smarter while looking its best. Bathrooms with a Twist Make the most of your bathroom experience with products that blend innovation and comfort. The GROHE Euphoria 180 Shower System delivers a luxurious shower while conserving water, and the GROHE Smartcontrol Trimset Shower Mixer lets you customize every detail for an optimized experience. For the ultimate upgrade, the Kohler Veil Intelligent Toilet is a standout with its automated features and space-saving design, redefining what it means to have a modern bathroom. Comfort Meets Smart in Living Spaces Your living room and bedroom deserve the same level of attention when it comes to comfort and functionality. The Heim Mattress offers a perfect balance of comfort and adaptability. It is designed with innovative foam technology to cater to your body’s comfortability. Choose from standard, deluxe, or premium options—all crafted to provide maximum relaxation and peace of mind. The Heim Mattress is also made with memory foam free from harmful compounds. This attention to detail allows you to recharge in a safe and health-supporting environment. Complement this comfort with the Alphalux Radiant Series 5-star rated LED bulb. It is known for its exceptional brightness, long-lasting performance of up to 25,000 hours, and cost-saving efficiency. You can light up any space in your home with Alphalux. Smart Solutions for Every Room No smart home is complete without efficient essentials like the ARISTON Water Heater . Compact and energy-conscious, it provides instant hot water for your bathroom or kitchen needs. These products aren’t just upgrades—they’re investments in a smarter, more convenient future. Start 2025 Smarter Make 2025 the year of smarter living. A smart home isn’t just about adding technology to your homes. It is also about creating spaces that seamlessly fit your lifestyle and make daily routines effortless. With Wilcon Depot’s thoughtfully selected smart home solutions, upgrading to a more intuitive and efficient home has never been simpler. Visit Wilcon Depot and start your year with these smart additions to your home. Make 2025 the year of smarter living. For more information about Wilcon, visit www.wilcon.com.ph or follow their social media accounts on Facebook , Instagram , and Tiktok . or subscribe and connect with them on Viber Community , LinkedIn , and YouTube . Or you may contact Wilcon Depot Hotline at 88-WILCON (88-945266) for inquiries. Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com . Join us on Viber at https://bit.ly/3hv6bLA to get more updates and subscribe to BusinessWorld’s titles and get exclusive content through www.bworld-x.com .Miami, FL, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blue Star Foods Corp., ("Blue Star,” the "Company,” "we,” "our” or "us”) (NASDAQ: BSFC ) , an integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainable seafood company with a focus on Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS), today announced a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $1.5 million of the Company's common stock. Under the program, the Company is authorized to repurchase its shares from time to time in the open market. The timing and amount of any repurchases will depend on a variety of factors, including price, trading volume, general market conditions, and other corporate considerations. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and may be suspended, modified, or discontinued at any time without prior notice. John Keeler, Chairman and CEO of Blue Star Foods, commented, "We are pleased to announce this stock buyback program, which reflects our confidence in the strong and growing business of Blue Star. We believe our stock is significantly undervalued. This buyback program represents an attractive opportunity to return value to our shareholders." About Blue Star Foods Corp. (NASDAQ: BSFC ) Blue Star Foods Corp. an integrated Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) sustainable seafood company with a focus on Recirculatory Aquaculture Systems (RAS) that processes, packages and sells high-value seafood products. The Company believes it utilizes best-in-class technology, in both resource sustainability management and traceability, and ecological packaging. The Company also owns and operates the oldest continuously operating Recirculating Aquaculture System (RAS) full grow-out salmon farm in North America. The company is based in Miami, Florida, and its corporate website is: https://bluestarfoods.com Forward-Looking Statements: The foregoing material may contain "forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended. Forward-looking statements include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, including without limitation statements regarding the Company's product development and business prospects, and can be identified by the use of words such as "may,” "will,” "expect,” "project,” "estimate,” "anticipate,” "plan,” "believe,” "potential,” "should,” "continue” or the negative versions of those words or other comparable words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions or performance. These forward-looking statements are based on information currently available to the Company and its current plans or expectations and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect current plans. Risks concerning the Company's business are described in detail in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and other periodic and current reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any such obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Investor Contacts: [email protected]
The Blackhawks claimed they would replace injured defenseman Seth Jones by committee, but aside from bumping every healthy defenseman one rung up the depth chart out of necessity, they actually haven’t. Instead, young Alex Vlasic has taken over Jones’ role, operating as the Hawks’ No. 1 defensemen during five-on-five play and quarterbacking the first power-play unit (although the Hawks have drawn very few opportunities). In the four games missed so far by Jones, the NHL’s time-on-ice leader before he suffered a right foot injury that will sideline him for another three-plus weeks, Vlasic has exceeded 23:30 of ice time every game and logged exactly 26:34 twice. “It’s definitely a big load to handle, but I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job,” Vlasic said Tuesday. “You’ve got to pick your spots jumping up in the play and make sure you’re not taking too long of shifts, especially against better teams, so you don’t get hemmed in.” This situation isn’t ideal for the Hawks right now, but it is excellent experience for Vlasic, whom the franchise will depend on to anchor their defense for years to come — regardless of whether he, Artyom Levshunov or someone else develops into their true No. 1 defenseman post-Jones. The 23-year-old Wilmette native is enjoying another stellar season despite the Hawks’ team struggles, even if he’s not quite as close to Superman as he imagined back in training camp. “In the ‘D'-zone in the beginning of the year...he had a couple hiccups,” assistant coach Kevin Dean said earlier this month. “He was [thinking], ‘I’m going to defend this guy and I’m going to take this pass away,’ and he wasn’t doing either. “He’s getting his brain around [the idea that], ‘I just do my job and do it well.’ And he’s terrific: He’s big; he’s smart; he’s athletic. He can skate, he can move pucks and his shot has really developed.” Vlasic unleashed a 101.9 mph shot — the fourth-hardest in the NHL this season — against the Ducks last week, rewarding him for his efforts this past summer to strengthen and improve his shooting . His hardest shot last season was 90.5 mph. “I noticed it before training camp, just stepping on the ice watching him: ‘Whoa, his shot [is good],’” Dean said. “Last year, he would take five shots, and two of them would be like, ‘Wow, that was really hard.’ ... But now he certainly seems more consistent.” The most important aspects where Vlasic can fill Jones’ shoes, however, are retrieving dump-ins and then exiting the defensive zone with possession. That can help the Hawks avoid getting stuck in the zone — a frequent problem for them. Vlasic has averaged 26.7 retrievals per 60 minutes this season, per All Three Zones. That’s one of the highest rates in the league. Jones (22.9) and Wyatt Kaiser (21.9) are the only other Hawks defensemen significantly above the league average of 19.9. Moreover, Vlasic and Jones have averaged 10.2 and 10.3 defensive-zone exits with possession per 60 minutes, respectively. They’re the only two Hawks defensemen significantly above the league average of 7.0 in that category. Dean has talked with Vlasic about the value of body position to help with both of those things. If an opposing forward skates behind the net to chase the puck, Vlasic can form a wall between the forward and the puck using his 6-6 frame alone. “He’s getting more comfortable using his body on the retrievals,” Dean said. “He’s a guy who can see the ice and can escape that forechecker to get time to make a play. He’s only going to get better with that, too. He’s not overthinking it. [When he identifies] the first option, it’s on and off his stick pretty well.” Defensive work In the defensive zone, Vlasic does have a tendency to believe he can do two things at once sometimes. The Hawks appreciate that confidence but are trying to convince him that’s not realistic; he’ll be best served focusing on defending one person at a time. Boxing out around the net has been one focus area. Earlier in the season, he would devote himself so wholeheartedly to boxing out that he would turn his back to the puck at the point and have no idea where the play was headed. "[I’m] learning how to box out while still having your head facing wherever the puck is,” Vlasic said. “You might have to let that guy go if the puck comes to you or if the [point] guy starts skating down at you, if your forward gets beat. Because we don’t play man-on-man in the D-zone, [you have to] make sure you’re not solely focusing on one guy.” There are situations, however, where he shouldn’t leave the net-front guy to cover a defenseman skating down. The Flyers’ first goal Saturday against the Hawks was one such scenario: Vlasic stopped boxing out Sean Couturier to react to wide-open Rasmus Ristolainen receiving the puck on the weak side, and then Ristolainen fed Couturier for a simple tap-in. “It’s very situational where you have to realize if the guy has a good angle or if he has a lot of time,” Vlasic said. “It’s a gray area for sure, but that specific time, I might just have to recognize that we’ll give up that shot from way outside the dot and make sure nothing goes across the crease.” Dean has also emphasized to Vlasic the importance of going through opposing forwards’ hands when trying to dispossess them. Vlasic’s ultra-long stick and reach makes him elite at poke-checks, but the Hawks don’t want him to rely solely on that approach. “Sometimes I get away with that, but when you go against guys that are good at puck-protecting and have big, strong frames, if you just go for the puck, they’ll be able to shield it away from you,” Vlasic said. "[You have to] make sure you’re always trying to go through the hands first and follow through with the stick.”
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