Latest news with #Gretzky
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky warning sends Edmonton Oilers fans into panic after another Stanley Cup defeat
Wayne Gretzky warning sends Edmonton Oilers fans into panic after another Stanley Cup defeat (Image Source: Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers fell short again in the Stanley Cup Final, and fans were not the only ones disappointed. Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, who once led the team to glory, had some strong words after the loss. The comments came right after the Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in Game 6. But what exactly did Gretzky say that got everyone talking? Wayne Gretzky questions Oilers' goalie decision after Game 6 loss On Tuesday, June 18, 2025, the Edmonton Oilers lost 5-1 to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. The match took place at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Stuart Skinner started in goal for Edmonton after being benched in Games 4 and 5. He stopped 20 out of 23 shots, but Florida added two empty-net goals in the third period, making the final score look even worse. After the game, Wayne Gretzky appeared on Turner Sports to talk about what went wrong. Gretzky, who played for the Oilers from 1979 to 1988 and helped them win four Stanley Cups, didn't hold back. He focused on the team's goalie situation. 'Is this our goalie or not? They gotta solidify that,' Gretzky said. 'You can't go into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals and switch your goaltenders. That's very rare that it's ever happened. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 유일한 공식 무료 SOC 게임! 설치도 없습니다! 경복의 바다 게임 플레이 Undo ' His comments pointed to the uncertainty the Oilers showed when they changed goalies during the most important games of the season. While Skinner was chosen again for Game 6, the earlier decisions raised concerns for Gretzky and many others watching. Edmonton Oilers struggle again in the Stanley Cup Final The loss marked the second year in a row that the Edmonton Oilers were defeated by the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final. They also came up short in 2024. The team's last championship win came back in 1990, just two years after they traded Gretzky to the Los Angeles Kings. Since then, the Oilers have had ups and downs but haven't been able to return to the top. Also Read: Dustin Johnson's Golf Struggles Spark Outrage As Paulina Gretzky Praises Father Wayne Gretzky In Viral Post The goalie change was just one part of the problem, but it stood out the most. Many fans and experts believe that the team needs a clear plan for their starting goalie if they want to win a title again. Wayne Gretzky's words have added more pressure on the Oilers to fix their issues before the next season begins. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky creates controversy, blames Oilers' Stanley Cup collapse on unforgivable goalie decision
The Edmonton Oilers' hopes for Stanley Cup redemption were dashed once again, and this time, franchise icon Wayne Gretzky is openly questioning the team's decisions—particularly their unstable goaltending situation. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final, the Oilers were left facing not just defeat, but criticism from one of the most respected voices in hockey history. Wayne Gretzky calls out Oilers' goaltending chaos after second straight Stanley Cup Final loss Wayne Gretzky, who led Edmonton to four Stanley Cups in the 1980s, did not hold back during his analysis on Turner Sports after the game. Focusing squarely on the team's goalie rotation, he stated, 'Is this our goalie or not? They gotta solidify that. You can't go into Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals and switch your goaltenders. That's very rare that it's ever happened.' The Oilers started Stuart Skinner in Game 6, despite benching him in Games 4 and 5 due to subpar performances. Skinner stopped 20 of 23 shots, but the Panthers sealed the win with two empty-net goals in the third period. For many fans and experts alike, the indecision surrounding Skinner's role became a glaring issue—not just a symptom of struggle, but a sign of strategic instability at the worst possible time. Gretzky's comments reflect what many fans have been feeling: the team's inability to lock down a reliable netminder may be the Achilles' heel in an otherwise championship-caliber roster. Back-to-back Stanley Cup heartbreak raises serious questions for Oilers leadership This marks the second consecutive year the Oilers have fallen to the Panthers in the Final, deepening the sense of frustration for a franchise that hasn't lifted the Cup since 1990—two years after Gretzky's departure to the Los Angeles Kings. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The legacy of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and this current core now hangs in the balance. With their window to win narrowing, the pressure is mounting on Edmonton's front office to fix what's broken—starting with the crease. Also Read: As Gretzky's pointed critique echoes through the hockey world, one thing is clear: championship teams don't just need stars—they need stability. And for the Oilers, that starts in net.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Wayne Gretzky's Donald Trump ties and hockey symbolism left Canadians feeling betrayed by their Great One
Wayne Gretzky, once a revered Canadian icon, faces backlash due to his political associations with Donald Trump (Getty Images) For decades, Wayne Gretzky was more than just Canada's greatest hockey player—he was a national icon. A symbol of humility, grace, and sportsmanship, Gretzky once embodied everything Canadians admired in a public figure. But in recent months, the "Great One" has been caught in a storm of political controversy that many feel has tarnished his legacy. Wayne Gretzky's political associations have cast a long shadow over his once untouchable Canadian legacy While Wayne Gretzky has always maintained dual citizenship with the United States, his visible alignment with Donald Trump has stirred deep resentment among Canadians. His attendance at Trump's second inauguration, his MAGA-aligned media appearances, and his increasingly America-first image have fractured his once-unifying status. — macrurdn (@macrurdn) What began as discomfort for some escalated into outrage after Gretzky served as the honorary captain for Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off hockey final in Boston—yet appeared more like a guest of Team USA. Dressed in a navy suit with no visible Canadian symbolism, Gretzky walked onto the ice from the U.S. bench, gave a thumbs-up to American players, and noticeably avoided acknowledging Team Canada. The red 'Be Great' hats he handed the Canadian players after their win—eerily reminiscent of MAGA caps—only fueled suspicions of political signaling. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now That night, Gretzky was booed in Canadian bars and slammed across social media. Calls to remove his statue from Edmonton's Rogers Place intensified after it was smeared with feces. A petition to rename Wayne Gretzky Drive surpassed 13,000 signatures. Meanwhile, Canadians recalled that Gretzky had never even collected his Order of Canada honor in person. Rather than defend his actions, Gretzky remained silent. Trump offered a lukewarm defense on Truth Social, and Gretzky's wife Janet posted—then deleted—an Instagram statement: 'It has broken his heart to read and see the mean comments.' Critics argue Gretzky should have anticipated the backlash. As Globe and Mail columnist Cathal Kelly noted, 'He's a 64-year-old man of the world of now… the polar opposite of what Canada wants in a representative.' Also Read: No longer Canadian: Wayne Gretzky's Canadian identity questioned after Donald Trump friendship sparks controversy Wayne Gretzky, once the pride of a nation, now finds himself facing the cold reality of a divided fanbase—and a legacy no longer taken for granted.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'My dad tried to kill..': Wayne Gretzky opens up about how his father tried to stop ‘The Great One' nickname from sticking
Wayne Gretzky is a name synonymous with greatness in the , but the origin of his famous nickname, "The Great One," has a surprising twist. During a recent segment on NHL on TNT's Face Off, Gretzky shared that his father, Walter Gretzky, was not a fan of the moniker when it first appeared during his youth hockey days. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A nickname born out of early dominance on the ice Long before Wayne Gretzky shattered NHL records, he was just a ten-year-old prodigy from Brantford, Ontario, netting an unbelievable 400 goals in a single season. A reporter from the London Free Press came to profile the young phenom. At the conclusion of the article, the journalist proposed a fitting nickname: 'The Great One,' drawing inspiration from legends like 'Mr. Hockey' and 'The Golden Jet.' 'They said, 'We should just call him The Great One,'' Gretzky recalled. 'Well, my dad tried to kill that right away — it just kept coming back.' Walter Gretzky believed such a title placed unnecessary pressure on his young son. He didn't want Wayne to bear the weight of premature hype. But despite his father's objections, the nickname gained traction and became permanently linked to the budding superstar. Acceptance of a name that would define a legacy Over time, the family had no choice but to embrace the label. 'Finally, I just was like, 'Well, we're going to have to live with it,'' Gretzky admitted. And live with it he did. By the time he retired in 1999, Gretzky had not only fulfilled but exceeded the expectations that came with such a grand title. With 894 goals, 2,857 career points, and 61 NHL records, 'The Great One' wasn't just a nickname—it became his rightful legacy. Panthers Win Game 5 to Take 3-2 Lead in Stanley Cup Final | NHL on TNT Switching gears to current NHL action, Gretzky also shared his thoughts on the Edmonton Oilers' Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. 'Right from the get-go, Florida played a really smart, intelligent road game,' he said, noting that Edmonton looked 'cautious' and 'on their heels' early on. Also Read: From a childhood nickname to a storied NHL career, Gretzky's story remains one of humility, brilliance, and enduring greatness.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'A trumpster': Fans slam Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce for sitting with Donald Trump loyalist Wayne Gretzky
Taylor Swift's appearance at the Stanley Cup Final alongside Travis Kelce and Wayne Gretzky sparked online controversy (Getty Images) Travis Kelce was seen at the Stanley Cup Final beside staunch Donald Trump backer Wayne Gretzky. This unexpected pairing ignited online discussion, particularly given Taylor Swift 's well-known political differences with the former president and fan reactions ranging from disappointment to disbelief. Taylor Swift-Wayne Gretzky sighting fuels fan outrage A recent hockey match brought an unexpected and widely discussed moment when global music sensation Taylor Swift attended Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Florida. Accompanied by her beau, Travis Kelce, the "Bad Blood" singer was observed seated alongside none other than hockey icon Wayne Gretzky. This particular seating arrangement quickly became a talking point, largely due to Gretzky's publicly known allegiance to Donald Trump and the well-documented animosity between Swift and the former president. The unusual encounter unfolded during the third period, with cameras capturing Swift, Kelce, and Gretzky watching the game's conclusion together. While Gretzky's camaraderie with Trump is no secret, Swift's ongoing public disagreement with the ex-President is equally prominent. It's worth noting that just last month, Trump reportedly made comments about the singer, stating she is 'no longer hot' and attributing it to himself. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Undo Gretzky, meanwhile, has been facing considerable criticism in both Canada and the U.S. for his continued public support for Trump, a stance that has generated significant controversy among his fanbase and within political circles. Despite the ongoing debates, Gretzky recently appeared on the "New Heights" podcast, hosted by Swift's boyfriend Travis and his brother Jason Kelce. During this appearance, the conversation remained lighthearted, focusing on sports and lasting legacies, carefully sidestepping any political discourse. The sight of Swift next to a prominent Trump supporter triggered strong reactions among her devoted fanbase, known as Swifties. Comments flooded social media platforms like X, with one user lamenting, 'Ugh with a trumpster so disappointed.' Another fan expressed their dismay, writing, 'Noo taylor get out of there.' A third individual shared their wish, stating, 'Would be great if taylor swift could stop associating with trump supporters actually.' The sheer unexpectedness of the situation even led some fans to question the authenticity of the images, with one user asking, 'is this ai?' and another predicting, 'Trump Will not be happy to see his friend Gretzky with Taylor Swift.' Also Read: 'This fall will be completely different': Taylor Swift's new routine fuels Travis Kelce retirement rumors Ultimately, the image of Swift and Gretzky together at the game underscored that even in the realm of entertainment and sports, the echoes of political divides are never far from the surface.
