Rogers Media
• Interest in Edmonton’s Broberg• Why the Senators brought back Jacques Martin• An optimistic outlook for the return of best-on-best international hockey
No one on Wednesday gave it a better effort than Justin Bourne and Nick Kypreos. With Brad Treliving on their show, they tried to get some William Nylander information out of the Toronto GM — but he swatted their attempts into the 15th row like prime Dikembe Mutombo.
Talks with Nylander have been on and off, with at least one face-to-face meeting with the winger’s representatives when the Maple Leafs played in Washington in October. Don’t panic, there is no bad news, there is nothing to report about it yet.
The explanation for why Treliving appeared in the media on Wednesday to announce that John Klingberg would miss the rest of the season. Another gap in the blue line. Timothy Liljegren (ankle) will skate again and Mark Giordano (finger) will be out for a few weeks. William Lagesson did a very clever job of playing a bigger role than expected.
But you can’t always dance with the date you brought and Treliving is looking to see what’s out there.
Toronto is a team. Before losing to Boston in overtime last Saturday, the Maple Leafs were 6-1-1 in their last 8 games. Some of the players laughed and rolled their eyes at the confidence of their group.
“Any team with that record and no 3 defenders would be commended for finding a solution,” said one. “Here. . . “
The doubt stems from his record without extra time or penalty shootouts. Toronto has five regulation wins, tied for last place in the league with Chicago, Montreal and Seattle. In the 18-season salary-cap era, no team, even close, won the Stanley Cup. Only four of the top 10 teams have done so: Pittsburgh in 2009 (12th), Los Angeles in 2012 (tied for 13th), Los Angeles in 2014 (tied for 11th) and St. Petersburgh. Louis in 2019 (tied for 14th). Ten of the 18 were in the top five most sensible (though in 2008 alone, Detroit was first overall). Last season, Vegas tied for seventh with 38.
So that’s the debate. What do you do here? Do you spend your best assets for rentals, or do you take a more long-term view.
Treliving noted in his interview with Justin and Nick that Toronto has spent a lot of cash chasing the Stanley Cup in recent years. This was not a criticism, but only an acknowledgment of what the organization sought to achieve. Over time, the well dries up. That’s a clue. Toronto seeks to be careful, especially when it comes to rent.
“Would we like to improve the defense? Absolutely,” Treliving said. All of this comes at a cost. There just aren’t many high-quality definers that other people are dying to give you at a low price. At the end of the day, what will be the charge you’ll have to pay for someone to step in and make a meaningful difference? »
Toronto is said to prefer a straight shot and some leverage, or “snot,” as the general manager put it earlier this season. If you get to the point where you feel like you want to go up a length, you will do so with a decrease. price.
Calgary and Toronto considered a confusing deal for Chris Tanev and Nikita Zadorov, which collapsed when the two sides couldn’t agree on what the Maple Leafs would have to pay to keep their salaries. In addition to what Toronto had to bring in to win according to the defenders themselves, there would be an additional reimbursement for Calgary to eat the money. Assuming the Flames retained 50% of both, the total would be about $3. 1 million. This is significant. (When I was taken to sports media, I said there would be no math. )
From what I understand, Calgary took a hard line on what to do, as the Flames do, and the Maple Leafs weren’t willing to go there.
Bourne asked Treliving about rumors that the Flames don’t want to work with their former general manager, in which Treliving pooped.
“I have a wonderful relationship with other people in Calgary. They’re just any other team you deal with,” Treliving responded, in the sense that they’re looking to get the most productive deal for them.
I think Toronto took a look at Philadelphia’s Rasmus Ristolainen, who has 3 seasons left on a five-year, $25. 5 million contract. But I don’t think the Flyers are willing to betray him, and they’re in no hurry to do anything while their band is betting well. That’s not to say it can’t be anything in the long run, but when the team competes hard, gets smart results, and does what they’re told, why drop a stink bomb in their locker room?
Another player I wondered about was San Jose’s Matt Benning, who I was considering an offer from Toronto in the summer of 2022. (Different general managers, I know, but many of the same people. )San Jose eventually beat the Maple Leafs, sending Benning west. But he’s injured and isn’t expected to return anytime soon.
In rent, Tanev is another case. He’s a Toronto guy, and they’d probably be sure they could point that out. That’s what they’re looking for: some control.
Right, a little bit of snot, a lot.
32 THOUGHTS
1. Another option for Toronto (and everyone else) is Ethan Bear. Tonight we learned that interested groups will now be able to watch him skate. It is founded in Kelowna and some will accept its offer. Vancouver would like to stay with him (they’re interested in coming back), but the Canucks are tight and there are others who may try to get through it.
2. It would possibly not be an official permission for Philip Broberg to talk to other teams, however, the news has arrived and there is interest. Edmonton can also send him to AHL Bakersfield as soon as Wednesday, as it’s much better for a 22-year-old to play there than in the NHL.
I thought he may go down sooner to make room for Jack Campbell. The plan was to bring back Campbell after three strong starts, but the fourth one — a 6-4 win over Henderson — didn’t go well, halting the idea. I still believe the Oilers will give Campbell another shot, as it’s better to try to solve your problem than pay whatever it will take to trade your problem (which would be significant), but it might not be until next week. Current Bakersfield backup Olivier Rodrigue, a good prospect, needs his playing time, too.
Steve Staios and Jacques Martin prepared on Wednesday, ensuring that Martin’s return as senior adviser would not add fuel to the fire. Both used the term “resource” to describe their function. Staios started the availability by saying about the existing lineup. staff: “I see them work hard every day to prepare our players. ” Martin went up: “I was telling the coaches today, when I look at the team this year compared to last year, it’s not about wins and losses, it’s about commitment away from the puck. A lot of young players, when they come into the league, they just focus on the offense. They want time to realize that to win consistently, to win championships, you have to Play the 200 foot game. What I have noticed in the last 3 games is encouraging.
He also relayed a quote from Pittsburgh’s Mike Sullivan: “You want elite players to win a championship, but the mentality of the team has to come first. “”Martin will be there all the time, but not on the bench. There are a lot of things that fit here. First of all, he played a pivotal role in taking the organization from a laughing inventory to a contender, and he deserves to be in the team’s ring of honor. It is also no coincidence that the return follows that of Daniel Alfredsson. He praised Martin’s technical know-how.
4. Martin’s 71, I can’t imagine he’s looking to be a day-to-day coach. It’s not connected to this, but when the Senators fired Guy Boucher in 2019, they considered him as a replacement. Marc Crawford finished the season.
5. This week I heard a wonderful story about DJ Smith. When he was a senior player at OHL Windsor, he dressed up for an exhibition match, but he didn’t want to play much. A high-ranking opposition player who leads some Spitfire recruits. Smith turned to the trainer and asked him to put him there. The challenge temporarily dissipated.
San Jose needed 10 games to score 16 goals early in the season, then scored 16 while traveling through New Jersey, New York and Long Island. General manager Mike Grier said he’s willing to consider a lot of features with his defense. I was surprised to be informed that Mario Ferraro, a young, smart player under a two-year, $3. 25 million contract, was included. Apparently, their underlying numbers are great, but I’d be more than willing to take the risk.
Some executives said the same thing about Marc-Edouard Vlasic, one of the NHL’s most productive defenders less than a decade ago: “The chimney is off. I enjoyed the annual from San Jose to Toronto, because Vlasic was a gold mine for dating. He would say things to the media like, “It’s time for you to give me some credit. To see him safe and sound 4 games in a row is mind-blowing.
Nashville general manager Barry Trotz is disappointed by Tyson Barrie’s permission to communicate with other teams. In fact, I understand their disappointment, you have to keep your business private, but once you inform the other clubs, it’s hard to stay in control. We know this: many other people are invited to give their opinion.
9. Some tweeters (X-ers?) questioned my rating that Buffalo trading for Eric Robinson “makes sense. ” Here’s why: He was cut in Columbus this season, but he deserves more NHL runs and the Blue Jackets actually don’t. I need him to make $1. 6 million in the AHL, so it makes sense to move him. He has 22 goals / 51 goals in the last two years and is betting a lot. The Sabers can use him and the value is not prohibitive. Listening to Martin talk about the game away from the puck he reminded me of Buffalo. They have a lot of talent. However, you can see the failed coverages in the defensive zone. They are a talented team and there is even more information about what it takes to win.
10. Jeff Marek with a good note on Monday’s podcast, that the NHL asked Devon Levi to stop commercial-break meditation either in or in-front of his crease. The league wants that area cleaned. Levi, a Star Wars fan, clearly was playing 4-D Dejarik (thank you, producer Dom Sramaty for this knowledge). During one of his AHL appearances last week, Levi was kneeling in a face-off dot.
11. One of the things I try to do at Board of Governors is take the temperature of the various owners. How do they feel about the overall state of the league? This time, there were fewer complaints than normal — except about the rain. Sure, there’s always grumbling about something, but most of the stress came from their team’s on-ice issues rather than the business.
One of the current challenges is cord-cutting and the collapse of once-lucrative regional sports television networks, but that seems to be, in their eyes, more of a speed-bump than a massive tornado. (Some of the technologically-savvy organizations are excited about the possibilities.)
I’m worried about growth: is the game getting where it wants to go?However, the valuations of minority associations are a big win. Forbes’ Mike Ozanian reported Wednesday that Islanders co-owner Scott Malkin is selling 10 percent of his stake at a valuation of $1. 75 billion. The acquisition value of Malkin and Jon Ledecky was $485 million. It’s no wonder that the feeling is zen.
The agreement between the NHL and NHLPA states that next year’s salary cap will be $87. 675 billion, $87. 7 million was used in meetings. Commissioner Gary Bettman predicted revenue of $6. 2 billion, an increase of about 3. 5% from 2022-2023. There are some considerations about the Canadian dollar, however, if this expansion remains steady, we are headed for big salary cap increases now that players’ COVID debt is paid off. I perceive the economics and the deals made through the league and the union, but when the cap stands as as solid as it has been for so long, it feels like you’re not growing, even though it’s not technically true.
I’m still not that involved in the delay in building the ice hockey venue for the 2026 Olympics, because I’ve seen this movie before. Prior to the 2004 Summer Games in Athens, rumors circulated that the facilities would not be available. completed. Same with Sochi in 2014 and Rio in 2016. The NHL/NHLPA complained on an on-site stopover about the lack of paint at the players’ apartments in Sochi, only to see busloads of staff arrive to finish the job.
We’ll see if there’s any explanation for replacing the minds, but, behind closed doors, Bettman reiterated the players’ stance on the Olympics — it’s very important to them — and indicated that enthusiasts were equally convinced. Some of the governors who left the assembly laughed at the structural problem, but they didn’t think it was catastrophic. As Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said, “I can’t say I’m pessimistic at all. »
14. I enjoyed the quarterfinals of the NBA tournament during the season. He wasn’t alone, judging by the number of people who asked if the NHL would do something similar. Bettman made a quick but pertinent comment: If the league is moving to do anything during the outdoor season from the normal season, it will be a combination of the World Cup and the Olympics. They will go from more productive to more productive first and foremost.
With that on the horizon, I intended to come up with an additional note from our European verbal exchange with Elias Pettersson. We asked him: it’s the Olympic gold medal game. Sweden trails Canada 3-2 with a minute remaining. The Swedes desire a goal. We know it’s going to ice. Let’s say your coach asks you, “What other five Swedes do you want on the ice?”The first caller he says is Erik Karlsson.
“Oh, it’s hard,” he continues. (Rasmus) Dahlin is also very smart. Karlsson and Dahlin on the blue line. William Nylander. Gabriel Landeskog because he’s a bull. Then he pauses and smiles. It’s hard, it’s hard. I don’t like tough decisions. That’s when he starts thinking and you can see the wheels turning. I love those conversations because they reveal the intelligence of hockey, the way elite players think. He’s making a change. ” Mika Zibanejad, Filip Forsberg and Nylander, because then I have 3 right-handers to pass, so they can shoot. “
Alright, let’s go to the next level: there are five seconds left. You have to make a pass to equalize. Who buried this coup? He’s still smiling. ” You’re embarrassing me here, I thought it would be a simple interview,” he laughs. “I’ll say Zibanejad. ” And bury him?” Yes, they hit him hard. “Then, of course, Pettersson wins the Tre Kronor in extra time. “In the best world, that’s the dream. Take home a gold medal, which all of Sweden can share.
16. Very excited about The Sphere draft. In addition to the accusation (in fact, there is no reduction of “friends and family” by Sphere/New York Rangers owner James Dolan to the NHL), some others fear whether the internal footprint would be enough for everyone who wish. to be there. The centralized allocation comes out brilliantly, although I still don’t agree with the decision.
Going to be interesting to see if some of the teams farther away decide to stay in Vegas, run free agency from there instead of rushing home. This could also mean a change to the awards ceremony. The last possible date of the Stanley Cup Final is June 25, three days before the draft. That’s a tight turnaround. The original plan was Los Angeles. During the 2022 Stanley Cup Final, the event was held on an off-night in Tampa Bay. That’s an obvious solution, but there is brainstorming about trying something even more unique.
17. For no reason, the International Olympic Committee awarded Salt Lake City the status of “Preferred Bidder” for the 2034 Winter Games. Basically, this means that the Organising Committee enters into exclusive negotiations with the IOC to conclude the agreement. (The official The resolution will be made next July. )A successful Olympic bid means a new arena for hockey, making Utah an even more attractive (and likely) destination for the NHL.
Brad Marchand knows when the media is looking for something juicy and almost got it. What I also like is when he only talks about hockey; He has a wonderful spirit for the game and is a perfect teacher. Fluto Shinzawa was asked why he attended morning practice last weekend in Toronto. Marchand replied that he wanted to try some new clubs. When Kyle Bukauskas asked him a little more about it, the Boston captain explained that he had experimented with a longer stick and therefore a stiffer flex, and that he was getting back to what he knew. “There are too many other people in my head,” he laughed.
Marchand then scored the game-winning goal against the Maple Leafs and followed that up with a natural hat trick 24 hours later against Columbus. Marchand also talked about some of the changes he had to make to adapt to the Bruins’ new system. When asked to elaborate, he replied, “No!” with a big smile, and then told us that Jim had altered his rashes. Before, it was about reading and reacting to each other.
With all the changes, it demands more structure, and Marchand joked that he rarely needs to do things in an old-fashioned way, but the coach prefers that approach until there’s more familiarity. I sincerely wish I had more time to talk about all of this. with the players and coaches. Maybe I’m asking the wrong questions.
Some other scouts said to keep an eye out for Ryker Evans, who just called through Seattle. The first time he was eligible for the NHL Draft (2020), Evans was unselected. The Kraken took him to 35th overall in 2021, and scouts said there are groups that admit to sniffing this one.
20. One day we’ll wake up and Seattle’s master of stealth Ron Francis is going to put up a great performance as a scorer. That’s what the Kraken needs.
I’ve learned two things about Climate Pledge Arena: its halls have some of the nicest and most original furniture I’ve ever seen, and its most popular food vendor sells dumplings. (There’s also a Shaq’s Chicken, which, I’m told, is pretty good. ) The furniture comes from the Rockwell Group, which also runs the Cosmopolitan Hotel in Las Vegas. The venue recently introduced a scanner that allows consumers to pay for items/activate tickets with their palms. It is thanks to a program of Amazon. Es an exclusive and attractive field.
22. Literally a long road back to the NHL for Calgary’s Ilya Solovyov. Called up when the Flames traded Nikita Zadorov to Vancouver, he was sitting on the AHL Wranglers’ flight to Las Vegas for a weekend against Henderson. They hadn’t taken him. He was still outside, but the door was closed, so he had to fly with the team and then return. A difficult getaway if you don’t even get common traveler miles for it.
Zadorov said that after his trade, the Flames never offered a contract. From what I understand, it’s pretty clear that Calgary and Zadorov had other reviews on the term. The Flames were going to be cautious and the player looked for length. From the beginning, it’s a philosophical disagreement.
24. La past week, Tanev didn’t miss a game after blocking a shot with his face, adding to his legend of savage injuries, pain tolerance and refusal to sit down. “I hate it when everybody’s talking about these things because there are so many guys playing injured,” he said in our interview on the 32 Thoughts podcast. “Sometimes the media (just) hears about certain guys, doesn’t it?”
What injury hurt the most? “Probably when I got the puck to my mouth here in Toronto. I lost like seven teeth and all my gums up top. Sitting in a dentist chair for eight hours is my worst nightmare.” There’s more: “I sprained both my MCLs on the same play. I don’t know if anyone’s done that. Guys on the team were calling me Bambi. (Like) a newborn deer, I literally couldn’t walk, both my knees were hurt.”
He says the Sedin were among the toughest. “I think the twins did a lot of things that other people don’t know about. As (Henrik) got a little older, his back wasn’t very smart anymore, he literally couldn’t walk sometimes. And he’s the most productive player on the ice. . . The way those guys behaved so unbelievably and professionally. They didn’t need any attention at all.
25. Tanev tells a wonderful story about his early days in Vancouver. “My first game in Colorado and I think I’m still a skinny kid,” he laughed. “I took my blouse off and Keith Ballard said, ‘Oh my God, they’re going to kill you. ‘(It’s just under two hundred years old now. )
Ballard, however, taught a life lesson that stuck with Tanev. “I don’t think I’ve paid for dinner in my first 3 years in the league. I’d pass out and he’d say, “No, kid, they gave it to me tonight. When you’re 30, you make sure to pay for the kids. That’s what I won’t forget about those guys.
And his rookie dinner? Was it a big bill?” My rookie dinner sucked,” he replied. I was in Minnesota, it was Tuesday, so we went curling, then had dinner, and then we went out. I’ve been to many bigger ones than this.
Finally, Chris asked if he and Kraken’s brother, Brandon, had ever talked together about the game. “A little. I guess a few years ago it almost happened. One of the general managers called me and said, “Hey, maybe it’s just industry for your brother, do you mind if they play together?I thought, “Maybe we’ll get into some screaming games. I’d be mad at him on the bench, but no, he’d definitely be a great delight. “play together. But that’s all we’ve talked about.
Did he tell Brandon about the conversation?” I told him a little later. I didn’t know what I would think. It’s the complete opposite of me. He doesn’t impede communication, he’s super fighter and he’s not afraid to be at the front. of people, that’s why he looks a lot like my dad (Mike). Even my mom (Sophia) really likes to communicate, and I’m the complete opposite. He said he’d be delighted. He needs to win, too. If there’s a chance we’re on a smart team and play together, that would be great.
According to Jeff Marek, the Women’s Professional Hockey League experiments with two-minute consequences on their fields that are fully enforced even if the forced-play team scores. In addition, no icing is allowed on the penalty. This would spice up the score. I like that. I also like it when a forced play ends if a team scores with fewer players, but that’s not being attempted at the moment.
28. Nice little moment: the celebration around Dylan Larkin right after he set up Jake Walman for the overtime winner last Saturday in Montreal. Someone wearing a “7”— can’t tell if it is Michael Rasmussen, JT Compher or David Perron (it isn’t Daniel Sprong, the camera shows him) makes a point of going to the captain, wrapping an arm around him. End of a tough week for the Larkin family. Small thing, but a big thing.
29. Last week, I earned a note that Gordie Howe held the NHL record for problems in a season by a senior player age 36 or older. (Howe 103 at age 40 in 1968-69). His colleague Eric Engels noted that in 2013, 37-year-old Martin St. Louis won the scoring title with 60 points in 48 lockout-shortened games. That’s on pace for 102. 5, a fair run toward Howe’s record.
In what will have to be a one-in-200 billion scenario, two Washington purpose finishes customers received loans on the same night. Last Friday, QMJHL Acadie-Bathurst’s Antoine Keller and ECHL South Carolina’s Mitchell Gibson benefited from the opposition’s “own purposes. ” Gibson’s goal came on a delayed penalty, and Savannah scored it at 11:35 of the second period. Keller’s goal was even stranger, as he froze the puck on the penalty kill, just to see it. end up in the net when the opposing spiker failed to communicate with one of his defenders. Anyone who bets on this bet does not want to paint more.
I wanted to do this last week, but I wanted to yell at line judge Tyson Baker, who dove to protect Dennis Gilbert’s head when the Calgary defender went down in a fight with Nashville’s Michael McCarron. Nothing makes me more nervous in fights than falls. And I’m sure I’m not alone.
Finally, I wanted to mention Vince Dunn’s grandmother, Judy Paylor. His goal is also to see his grandson play in each and every NHL stadium. It’s about a third part. Dunn spoke of her with wonderful pride and I hope she has a wonderful time on this journey.