Latest news with #LeonDraisaitl
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Is that your podcast you're listening to?' McDavid, Draisaitl exit interview interruptions derail proceedings
The Hall of Fame Room at Rogers Place can feel like a bit of a media fishbowl at times. Especially during the playoffs, when the glass on one side faces into the street in front of the iconic Wayne Gretzky Statue. Needless to say, it can be a bit of a high-traffic area with plenty of distractions for players brought in for question-and-answer periods. If it's not boisterous crowds gathering and chanting after a big win while trying to catch a glimpse of their favourite player doing interviews, it's firetrucks and ambulances racing down 104 Ave. with sirens blaring. But regardless of the chaos going on outside, about the biggest faux-pas a reporter can do is have their cellphone go off in the scrum, which draws immediate scrutiny from the rest of the media throng, as well as the player who was just interrupted by the ringing or reminder alarm. The running joke is whoever's phone went off would have to pay a fine, a la the NHL's Department of Player Safety. As was the case during Thursday's exit interviews, when Oilers captain Connor McDavid had to pause mid-answer as someone began playing back audio accidentally. 'Is that your podcast you're listening to?' he quickly quipped, before resuming his train of thought. Media aren't always the offending party, however. Before McDavid got in front of the microphone, his teammate, Leon Draisaitl, was up on stage during an unintended interruption of his own. 'Oh, God,' he said while moving to silence his own phone's alarm, cutting himself off mid-explanation of how the Oilers might have had the oldest roster in the league this season, but their core group is still in its prime. 'Got up early. Sorry, guys. I'll pay you guys after. Now where were we …?' E-mail: On X: @GerryModdejonge McDavid leaves just a little doubt about whether he'll remain with Oilers Perry forever the bridesmaid in ongoing search for second Stanley Cup You can also support our journalism by becoming a digital subscriber. Subscribers gain unlimited access to The Edmonton Journal, Edmonton Sun, National Post and 13 other Canadian news sites. Support us by subscribing today: The Edmonton Journal | The Edmonton Sun.
CBC
2 days ago
- Sport
- CBC
Where do Canadian teams stand amid Stanley Cup drought?
Social Sharing The Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams reached 32 years after the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in a second consecutive final on Tuesday. What about next year? Here's a look at where each of the seven Canadian clubs stand heading into next season — and which might be closest to ending the skid. Calgary Flames After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Flames will try to strike a balance between developing around their emerging young talent and punching a little higher next season. The Stanley Cup? Probably not happening. Dustin Wolf was Calgary's MVP in his rookie season and appears to be a franchise goalie. Young wingers Matt Coronato and Connor Zary also represent hope for the future, while top defence prospect Zayne Parekh could enter the fray. Calgary also has quality veterans like Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau pushing to end a three-year playoff drought, but the Flames are still firmly in a "retool" period. Edmonton Oilers Spearheaded by superstar duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers should be best-positioned to fight for the Stanley Cup again. Edmonton dominated the Western Conference playoffs for two straight seasons before running into a deep and relentless Panthers team both times. The Oilers need to sign star defenceman Evan Bouchard to run it back. The pending restricted free agent is due a massive raise from his US$3.9 million cap hit after producing 55 points in his last 47 playoff games. McDavid has one year left on his contract, adding potential stakes to next season. The Oilers captain is eligible for an extension on July 1. Also, will the Oilers make a move for a true No. 1 goalie after inconsistent performances from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard? Montreal Canadiens Montreal's future is bright, but the Canadiens are likely a few seasons away from fighting for a Stanley Cup. The Canadiens boast a young core of captain Nick Suzuki, winger Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, a shifty defenceman who won the Calder Trophy. Dazzling forward Ivan Demidov could contend for rookie of the year himself next season. Montreal was the youngest team in this year's playoffs, where they lost a first-round series to the Washington Capitals in five games, and could be even younger next season as more players from the franchise's deep prospect pool graduate to the NHL. Major off-season additions — particularly a second-line centre — are possible, but general manager Kent Hughes is taking a patient approach to build a sustainable winner. Ottawa Senators The Senators took a major step with a playoff berth last season, signalling the end of a long, painful rebuild. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk, centre Tim Stutzle and defenceman Jake Sanderson, the Senators are young, talented and trending in the right direction. Much like the Canadiens, however, are they close to making the leap from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender? Ottawa has a solid supporting cast, but still has holes to fill. General manager Steve Staios could be active in his search for a top-four defenceman and a top-six winger this off-season. Veteran forward Claude Giroux also needs a contract. Toronto Maple Leafs The Maple Leafs have only won two series in their "Core Four" era despite reaching the playoffs nine straight years. Now the DNA, as GM Brad Treliving put it, looks like it's about to change in Toronto. Star winger Mitch Marner is a pending free agent and could leave his boyhood club, former captain John Tavares also needs a contract, and Treliving appears ready to make bold moves. Then again, the Leafs led the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers 2-0 in their second-round series and pushed them to a Game 7. They also won the Atlantic Division with a smothering defensive style in their first year under coach Craig Berube. No matter how the off-season shakes out, the Leafs should return to the playoffs. But will it be any different once they get there? Vancouver Canucks The Canucks looked like a contender last year in a seven-game second-round series against Edmonton. That feels like a long time ago. Vancouver's follow-up went off the rails in a past season marked by off-ice drama between star forwards Elias Pettersson and since-traded J.T. Miller. Many uncertainties now surround the Canucks. Will Pettersson, once viewed as a top No. 1 centre, rediscover his 100-point form? Can goalie Thatcher Demko, elite when healthy, get through a season injury-free? Head coach Rick Tocchet left Vancouver for Philadelphia, with Adam Foote taking over behind the bench. Forward Brock Boeser might also exit in free agency. Canucks management will be desperate to get the franchise back on track with superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes due for a new contract in two years, but the path to the Stanley Cup, at least for next season, feels steep. Winnipeg Jets No team has won more than Winnipeg over the past two regular seasons, but the Jets are rarely mentioned as a Cup favourite. Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, defenceman Josh Morrissey, and forwards Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele helped lead a deep and well-rounded team to the Presidents' Trophy last season. Winnipeg, however, fell in the second round to Dallas after needing a miracle to scrape past St. Louis. Hellebuyck's sensational regular-season play — earning him this year's Hart and Vezina trophies — also hasn't translated into the playoffs. The Jets might lose winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who's one of six unrestricted free agents on the roster. Most other key pieces should return to the Manitoba capital. The question is: How much further can this group go?
CTV News
2 days ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Maybe next year? A look at where Canadian teams stand amid Stanley Cup drought
Edmonton Oilers' Leon Draisaitl, back left, and Connor McDavid talk before a faceoff against the Vancouver Canucks during the second period in Game 5 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup second-round playoff series, in Vancouver, on Thursday, May 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck The Stanley Cup drought for Canadian teams reached 32 years after the Edmonton Oilers lost to the Florida Panthers in a second consecutive final on Tuesday. What about next year? Here's a look at where each of the seven Canadian clubs stands heading into next season — and which might be closest to ending the skid. CALGARY FLAMES Flames Hockey Calgary Flames goalie Dustin Wolf reacts during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Anaheim Ducks, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent) After narrowly missing the playoffs, the Flames will try to strike a balance between developing around their emerging young talent and punching a little higher next season. The Stanley Cup? Probably not happening. Dustin Wolf was Calgary's MVP in his rookie season and appears to be a franchise goalie. Young wingers Matt Coronato and Connor Zary also represent hope for the future, while top defence prospect Zayne Parekh could enter the fray. Calgary also has quality veterans like Nazem Kadri and Jonathan Huberdeau pushing to end a three-year playoff drought, but the Flames are still firmly in a 'retool' period. EDMONTON OILERS Edmonton Oilers Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid (97) and Leon Draisaitl (29) react to a Florida Panthers empty net goal during the third period in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup final in Sunrise, Fla., on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Spearheaded by superstar duo Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, the Oilers should be best-positioned to fight for the Stanley Cup again. Edmonton dominated the Western Conference playoffs for two straight seasons before running into a deep and relentless Panthers team both times. The Oilers need to sign star defenceman Evan Bouchard to run it back. The pending restricted free agent is due a massive raise from his US$3.9 million cap hit after producing 55 points in his last 47 playoff games. McDavid has one year left on his contract, adding potential stakes to next season. The Oilers captain is eligible for an extension on July 1. Also, will the Oilers make a move for a true No. 1 goalie after inconsistent performances from Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard? MONTREAL CANADIENS Canadiens Hockey Montreal Canadiens center Nick Suzuki (14) plays against the Nashville Predators during an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey) Montreal's future is bright, but the Canadiens are likely a few seasons away from fighting for a Stanley Cup. The Canadiens boast a young core of captain Nick Suzuki, winger Cole Caufield and Lane Hutson, a shifty defenceman who won the Calder Trophy. Dazzling forward Ivan Demidov could contend for rookie of the year himself next season. Montreal was the youngest team in this year's playoffs, where they lost a first-round series to the Washington Capitals in five games, and could be even younger next season as more players from the franchise's deep prospect pool graduate to the NHL. Major off-season additions — particularly a second-line centre — are possible, but general manager Kent Hughes is taking a patient approach to build a sustainable winner. OTTAWA SENATORS Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk (second left) celebrates his goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs with Tim Stutzle, left to right, Nick Jensen and Thomas Chabot during second period NHL playoff hockey action in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang The Senators took a major step with a playoff berth last season, signalling the end of a long, painful rebuild. Led by captain Brady Tkachuk, centre Tim Stutzle and defenceman Jake Sanderson, the Senators are young, talented and trending in the right direction. Much like the Canadiens, however, are they close to making the leap from playoff contender to Stanley Cup contender? Ottawa has a solid supporting cast, but still has holes to fill. GM Steve Staios could be active in his search for a top-four defenceman and a top-six winger this off-season. Veteran forward Claude Giroux also needs a contract. TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (left to right) Mitch Marner and Matthew Knies sit on the bench during third period NHL playoff hockey action against the Florida Panthers in Toronto on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette The Maple Leafs have only won two series in their 'Core Four' era despite reaching the playoffs nine straight years. Now the DNA, as GM Brad Treliving put it, looks like it's about to change in Toronto. Star winger Mitch Marner is a pending free agent and could leave his boyhood club, former captain John Tavares also needs a contract, and Treliving appears ready to make bold moves. Then again, the Leafs led the Stanley Cup-champion Panthers 2-0 in their second-round series and pushed them to a Game 7. They also won the Atlantic Division with a smothering defensive style in their first year under coach Craig Berube. No matter how the off-season shakes out, the Leafs should return to the playoffs. But will it be any different once they get there? VANCOUVER CANUCKS Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks' Elias Petterson, left, of Sweden, and Christian Wolanin celebrate Petterson's goal against the Arizona Coyotes during the second period of a pre-season NHL hockey game in Vancouver, on Friday, October 7, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck The Canucks looked a contender last year in a seven-game second-round series against Edmonton. That feels like a long time ago. Vancouver's followup went off the rails in a past season marked by off-ice drama between star forwards Elias Pettersson and since-traded J.T. Miller. Many uncertainties now surround the Canucks. Will Pettersson, once viewed as a top No. 1 centre, rediscover his 100-point form? Can goalie Thatcher Demko, elite when healthy, get through a season injury-free? Head coach Rick Tocchet left Vancouver for Philadelphia, with Adam Foote taking over behind the bench. Forward Brock Boeser might also exit in free agency. Canucks management will be desperate to get the franchise back on track with superstar defenceman Quinn Hughes due for a new contract in two years, but the path to the Stanley Cup, at least for next season, feels steep. WINNIPEG JETS Jets Stars Hockey Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck recovers from making a save on a shot from the Dallas Stars in the first period of Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series in Dallas, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) No team has won more than Winnipeg over the past two regular seasons, but the Jets are rarely mentioned as a Cup favourite. Star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, defenceman Josh Morrissey, and forwards Kyle Connor and Mark Scheifele helped lead a deep and well-rounded team to the Presidents' Trophy last season. Winnipeg, however, fell in the second round to Dallas after needing a miracle to scrape past St. Louis. Hellebuyck's sensational regular-season play — earning him this year's Hart and Vezina trophies — also hasn't translated into the playoffs. The Jets might lose winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who's one of six unrestricted free agents on the roster. Most other key pieces should return to the Manitoba capital. The question is: How much further can this group go? This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 18, 2025. Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Change needed: Factors standing in the way of the Oilers winning a Stanley Cup next year
Article content Now what? After another regime change and a major player overhaul in the summer, the Edmonton Oilers seem father away from a Stanley Cup right now than they did a year ago. Article content What started out as an epic series with the Florida Panthers — three-straight ferocious overtime games — fizzled into the Oilers being exposed. When your last three losses of a series are by scores of 6-1, 5-2 and 5-1, the gap between you and the team that beat you is more like a canyon. Article content This was an eye-opening final, to be sure. Edmonton was good enough to steamroll the Western Conference. Going 12-2 in their last 14 games against Los Angeles, Vegas and Dallas is the stuff of a real contender. But face-to-face with a real champion, the Oilers didn't have an answer. The Panthers were better on every possible level. So this is going to be a massive summer for general manager Stan Bowman and Hockey Operations chief Jeff Jackson. The Oilers need a complete overhaul. If all we see are a couple of tweaks around the edges, the Oilers aren't winning a Stanley Cup next year, either. Not as long as the Panthers are around. And you can be sure the other contenders are going to muscle up as well. A LITTLE HELP Right now, the legacy for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, 10 years into their partnership, is one of near-misses and long-running frustration. Article content But they've been more than good enough to win a championship. In 96 career playoff games, Connor McDavid has 150 points, including 75 points in 47 games over the last two runs to the final. Leon Draisaitl has 141 points in 96 playoffs games and 64 points over the last two runs. It's the organization that's been letting them down, not the other way around. Edmonton scored 16 goals in the Cup Final, not counting Vasily Podkolzin's garbage-time marker with four minutes left in a 5-0 Game 6. Of those 16 goals, McDavid and Draisaitl either scored or assisted on 11 of them. They were on the ice for 13 of the 16. You can't win that way. Florida had nine forwards with 15 or more points in the playoffs this year. Edmonton had three. If Edmonton's two superstars are getting frustrated, it's justified. BOSSES NEED A REBOUND It was not a good summer for Oilers management. If you're going to lay the blame for this disappointment somewhere, start there. Article content Getting Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson for a combined $7 million seemed like solid moves at the time, but they weren't. Trying to get something for nothing with Kapsperi Kapanen and John Klingberg wasn't the answer, either. Not when the Panthers were getting Seth Jones and Brad Marchand. And letting Warren Foegele, Dylan Holloway, Ryan McLeod and Philip Broberg get away only compounded the issue, both in the short term and for the future. The supporting cast that was supposed to have been an upgrade from last year had its moments, but wasn't consistent enough and couldn't generate anything when it mattered most. Adam Henrique, one assist in the final. Trent Frederic, zero points in the final. Arvidsson, two points and a healthy scratch in the final. Mattias Janmark, zero points in the final. Kapanen, three points and a healthy scratch in the final. Skinner, zero points and three healthy scratches in the final. Connor Brown, one assist in the final. Article content AGAIN WITH THE CAP SPACE Making the necessary changes isn't going to be easy. Cap space is an issue again, they don't have the trade bait to deal their way out of this (having already dealt this year's first and second round picks and next year's first) and some of the players they need to move for addition space (Arvidsson, Evander Kane and Adam Henrique total $12.1 million) have no movement clauses. It's going to take some very heavy lifting from Bowman and Jackson. According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have $11.9 million worth of cap space and 19 players under contract. That's fine if they were standing pat and making minor upgrades, but as the Cup Final just showed us, that isn't an option. Corey Perry, Connor Brown and Trent Frederic are all eligible for unrestricted free agency and restricted free agent Evan Bouchard will chew up a big chunk of that $11.9 when he gets a major bump on the $3.9 million he made this year. Article content BRAIN FOG You have to wonder what these two runs have done to the team's mental health. Lose one Stanley Cup Final and it serves as motivation to come back the next year. But what happens when you play another 100 games, fight your way to another final and get stomped? Does the third run suffer for it? Do the Oilers run out of physical and emotional gas? That's going to be something to watch next season. PULLING THE GOALIE? Is Stuart Skinner their guy? As far as value goes, he is giving Edmonton every penny's worth of that $2.6 million contract. But when your team is in the prime of its Stanley Cup window and finds itself switching back and forth between goalies in the Final, and isn't really sure who to start an elimination game, it's a sure sign that something has to change. You can't close the book on a 26-year-old who's only played three seasons and got you to a Stanley Cup Final twice, but do they dare roll with him again? Latest National Stories
National Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- National Post
Change needed: Factors standing in the way of the Oilers winning a Stanley Cup next year
Now what? Article content After another regime change and a major player overhaul in the summer, the Edmonton Oilers seem father away from a Stanley Cup right now than they did a year ago. Article content What started out as an epic series with the Florida Panthers — three-straight ferocious overtime games — fizzled into the Oilers being exposed. Article content When your last three losses of a series are by scores of 6-1, 5-2 and 5-1, the gap between you and the team that beat you is more like a canyon. Article content Article content This was an eye-opening final, to be sure. Article content Edmonton was good enough to steamroll the Western Conference. Going 12-2 in their last 14 games against Los Angeles, Vegas and Dallas is the stuff of a real contender. But face-to-face with a real champion, the Oilers didn't have an answer. Article content The Panthers were better on every possible level. Article content So this is going to be a massive summer for general manager Stan Bowman and Hockey Operations chief Jeff Jackson. The Oilers need a complete overhaul. If all we see are a couple of tweaks around the edges, the Oilers aren't winning a Stanley Cup next year, either. Article content Not as long as the Panthers are around. And you can be sure the other contenders are going to muscle up as well. Article content A LITTLE HELP Article content Right now, the legacy for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, 10 years into their partnership, is one of near-misses and long-running frustration. Article content But they've been more than good enough to win a championship. Article content In 96 career playoff games, Connor McDavid has 150 points, including 75 points in 47 games over the last two runs to the final. Article content Article content Leon Draisaitl has 141 points in 96 playoffs games and 64 points over the last two runs. Article content It's the organization that's been letting them down, not the other way around. Article content Edmonton scored 16 goals in the Cup Final, not counting Vasily Podkolzin's garbage-time marker with four minutes left in a 5-0 Game 6. Of those 16 goals, McDavid and Draisaitl either scored or assisted on 11 of them. They were on the ice for 13 of the 16. Article content You can't win that way. Article content Getting Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson for a combined $7 million seemed like solid moves at the time, but they weren't. Trying to get something for nothing with Kapsperi Kapanen and John Klingberg wasn't the answer, either. Not when the Panthers were getting Seth Jones and Brad Marchand.
