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Edmonton Journal
7 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
Article content Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net. The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle. Czechia's six pack includes Boston great David Pastrnak, defenceman Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Two netminders were prominent in Latvia's selections, Elvis Merzlikins of Columbus and Vancouver Canuck Arturs Silovs. Canada and the U.S. are expected to unveil their top six later Monday.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid 'Put On A Good Show' For Canada. Is The Cup Next?
After adding a best-on-best international title to his ever-expanding trophy case, the Oilers pivot only has one bauble left to chase down. By Doug Ward (Editor's note: This story originally appeared in The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Players issue with a cover date of April 21, 2025. It has been edited and updated for online purposes.) Connor McDavid has a way of finding himself in rarefied air. In Edmonton, where the aura of Wayne Gretzky's number billowing from the rafters still hangs heavy in the atmosphere, McDavid lives up to lofty expectations. Across Canada, McDavid has the air of a superhero. In this year's 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, it was McDavid who found the space in overtime, then left a nation walking on air when he found the back of the net to give Team Canada the win. 'I hope we put on a good show,' said McDavid in a post-game interview, 'and gained some fans.' Mission accomplished. But McDavid is far from done. With that golden goal in Boston, McDavid planted a flag on hockey's mountaintop. With comparisons to Gretzky already de rigueur, McDavid found himself in an even more rare place in Canadian hockey folklore: alongside Paul Henderson and Sidney Crosby. At 28, McDavid has already stuffed his trophy cabinet with one Rocket Richard Trophy, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and five Art Ross Trophies. Then there's the Conn Smythe Trophy that McDavid earned when he brought his team back from a 3-0 series deficit in last year's Stanley Cup final before ultimately falling short in Game 7 in Florida. The Stanley Cup is pretty much the only bauble in hockey where you won't find McDavid's name. Not yet. But not for a lack of trying. McDavid became just the second skater to win the MVP of the playoffs while playing for the losing team. Philadelphia's Reggie Leach was the first in 1976. As McDavid hangs out at hockey's highest peak, with his name now shorthand for dizzying greatness, there is still that Stanley Cup to claim. For four years running, McDavid's Cup quest began with his Oilers bouncing the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs faster than, well, a Connor McDavid breakaway. The Kings know his skills better than anyone. 'Speed,' said Kings center Phillip Danault of the most clear and present danger that McDavid presents. 'He's electric, and he has quick hands.' McDavid also possesses something that belongs to him alone. 'He just thinks the game differently,' Danault said. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who has a history of chirping McDavid, went from rival to admirer at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Doughty believes his breakout pass that sprung McDavid for a breathtaking goal in the unforgettable 3-1 round-robin loss to Team USA in Montreal could not have been converted into a breakaway goal by anyone else. 'If I pass that to any player in the league other than Connor McDavid,' Doughty said, 'with the possible exception of Nathan MacKinnon, I don't think anybody else is getting a breakaway.' It's doubtful Doughty would have even attempted the pass leading up to the memorable goal had it been intended for anyone else. 'When I saw Connor get the speed through the neutral zone, I knew I was going to pass it to him,' Doughty said. 'Not many guys are going to get a breakaway off that. He's just so fast. It was a good pass by me, but Connor made the play.' Because McDavid combines space-age speed with classic skills and a unique perspective on hockey, he makes plays that no one else dares attempt, altering the way a game is played. His mere presence on the ice changes everything, everywhere, all at once. 'The way everyone tries to cover him makes the game open up,' Danault said. Added Kings defender Mikey Anderson: 'Connor McDavid is just different. He has a mix of everything. He has a different level of speed. He plays fast, but his hands move just as fast as his feet. He sees an opportunity when other guys don't, and he is smart about when to turn it on.' Playing with McDavid for Team Canada, Doughty learned the game's singular talent is a great teammate. 'We put everything that has happened over the past years aside, and we were teammates,' Doughty said. 'He's a great person. Hung out with him a ton. Talked to him a ton. Really enjoyed being his teammate on and off the ice.' So, yeah, you could certainly say McDavid knows how to clear the air and gain new fans. This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end. You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Edmonton Oilers' Connor McDavid ‘Put On A Good Show' For Canada. Is The Cup Next?
After adding a best-on-best international title to his ever-expanding trophy case, the Oilers pivot only has one bauble left to chase down. By Doug Ward (Editor's note: This story originally appeared in The Hockey News' Top 100 NHL Players issue with a cover date of April 21, 2025. It has been edited and updated for online purposes.) Connor McDavid has a way of finding himself in rarefied air. In Edmonton, where the aura of Wayne Gretzky's number billowing from the rafters still hangs heavy in the atmosphere, McDavid lives up to lofty expectations. Across Canada, McDavid has the air of a superhero. In this year's 4 Nations Face-Off final in Boston, it was McDavid who found the space in overtime, then left a nation walking on air when he found the back of the net to give Team Canada the win. 'I hope we put on a good show,' said McDavid in a post-game interview, 'and gained some fans.' Mission accomplished. But McDavid is far from done. With that golden goal in Boston, McDavid planted a flag on hockey's mountaintop. With comparisons to Gretzky already de rigueur, McDavid found himself in an even more rare place in Canadian hockey folklore: alongside Paul Henderson and Sidney Crosby. At 28, McDavid has already stuffed his trophy cabinet with one Rocket Richard Trophy, three Hart Trophies, four Ted Lindsay Awards and five Art Ross Trophies. Then there's the Conn Smythe Trophy that McDavid earned when he brought his team back from a 3-0 series deficit in last year's Stanley Cup final before ultimately falling short in Game 7 in Florida. The Stanley Cup is pretty much the only bauble in hockey where you won't find McDavid's name. Not yet. But not for a lack of trying. McDavid became just the second skater to win the MVP of the playoffs while playing for the losing team. Philadelphia's Reggie Leach was the first in 1976. As McDavid hangs out at hockey's highest peak, with his name now shorthand for dizzying greatness, there is still that Stanley Cup to claim. For four years running, McDavid's Cup quest began with his Oilers bouncing the Los Angeles Kings from the playoffs faster than, well, a Connor McDavid breakaway. The Kings know his skills better than anyone. 'Speed,' said Kings center Phillip Danault of the most clear and present danger that McDavid presents. 'He's electric, and he has quick hands.' McDavid also possesses something that belongs to him alone. 'He just thinks the game differently,' Danault said. Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who has a history of chirping McDavid, went from rival to admirer at the 4 Nations Face-Off. Doughty believes his breakout pass that sprung McDavid for a breathtaking goal in the unforgettable 3-1 round-robin loss to Team USA in Montreal could not have been converted into a breakaway goal by anyone else. 'If I pass that to any player in the league other than Connor McDavid,' Doughty said, 'with the possible exception of Nathan MacKinnon, I don't think anybody else is getting a breakaway.' It's doubtful Doughty would have even attempted the pass leading up to the memorable goal had it been intended for anyone else. 'When I saw Connor get the speed through the neutral zone, I knew I was going to pass it to him,' Doughty said. 'Not many guys are going to get a breakaway off that. He's just so fast. It was a good pass by me, but Connor made the play.' Because McDavid combines space-age speed with classic skills and a unique perspective on hockey, he makes plays that no one else dares attempt, altering the way a game is played. His mere presence on the ice changes everything, everywhere, all at once. 'The way everyone tries to cover him makes the game open up,' Danault said. Added Kings defender Mikey Anderson: 'Connor McDavid is just different. He has a mix of everything. He has a different level of speed. He plays fast, but his hands move just as fast as his feet. He sees an opportunity when other guys don't, and he is smart about when to turn it on.' Playing with McDavid for Team Canada, Doughty learned the game's singular talent is a great teammate. 'We put everything that has happened over the past years aside, and we were teammates,' Doughty said. 'He's a great person. Hung out with him a ton. Talked to him a ton. Really enjoyed being his teammate on and off the ice.' So, yeah, you could certainly say McDavid knows how to clear the air and gain new fans. This article appeared in our 2025 Top 100 NHLers issue. This issue focuses on the 100 best players currently in the NHL, with the Avalanche's Nathan MacKinnon sitting atop the list. We also include features on Alex Ovechkin finally beating Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record, and former CFL running back Andrew Harris' switch to semi-professional hockey. In addition, we provide a PWHL playoff preview as the regular season nears its end. You can get it in print for free when you subscribe to The Hockey News at today. All subscriptions include complete access to more than 76 years of articles at The Hockey News Archive. Copyright 2025 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd.
National Post
20-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Auston Matthews secretive about injuries, while other Maple Leafs open up
With their season done, the Maple Leafs pulled back to the hospital room curtain on several injuries. Article content Article content While captain Auston Matthews steadfastly refused to discuss his lingering upper-body issue — which would've stop ongoing speculation — he did share some details of what derailed his shot at a third Rocket Richard Trophy. Article content He dropped from 69 goals in 81 games to 33 in 67 this past campaign, with just three in 13 post-season appearances. Article content Article content 'It was a very tough season, physically,' the Matthews said Tuesday at the Ford Performance Centre. 'I got injured in training camp, wasn't feeling great for the first month or so and went to (a clinic in) Germany to do all those things to feel better, get to a place where I felt I could manage it better. Article content 'There were good stretches and stretches where I didn't feel very good. It impacted a lot of things,' he said when asked about his shooting. 'I'm confident with some time off, going through my own process and treatment that I'll be back 100% next season.' Article content Article content In other words, no surgery is required. Article content Matthews indicated he doesn't want to give opponents information they could potentially use against him, although the next Leafs game of consequence is five months away. Article content Defenceman Chris Tanev, hit more than any Leaf in playoffs and their lead shot-blocker all season, volunteered he had come through a sterno-clavicular (collarbone) injury in March, but was none the worse for wear when the Senators and Panthers hunted him. Article content Article content Also on Tuesday, goaltender Anthony Stolarz finally was available to discuss what happened in Game 1 against the Panthers that concussed him. Article content The 6-foot-6 Stolarz said it was not caused by Sam Reinhart's hard shot that dislodged his mask, but was indeed former teammate Sam Bennett's elbow to the head that wasn't detected by the officials. Article content 'It was unfortunate, he just caught me in a bad spot,' Stolarz said. 'No malicious intent on Benny's part. Not just him but that entire team plays hard. He obviously felt pretty bad. It's a pretty fast game and s*** is going to happen. About 45 minutes later, I felt the symptoms.' Article content After trying to continue playing, he was ill at the Leafs bench and stretchered to hospital.
Toronto Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Auston Matthews secretive about injuries, while other Maple Leafs open up
'I got injured in training camp, wasn't feeling great for the first month or so.' Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews speaks to the media in the practice dressing room facility and would not disclose his injuries. Jack Boland/Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network With their season done, the Maple Leafs pulled back to the hospital room curtain on several injuries. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account While captain Auston Matthews steadfastly refused to discuss his lingering upper-body issue — which would've stop ongoing speculation — he did share some details of what derailed his shot at a third Rocket Richard Trophy. He dropped from 69 goals in 81 games to 33 in 67 this past campaign, with just three in 13 post-season appearances. 'It was a very tough season, physically,' the Matthews said Tuesday at the Ford Performance Centre. 'I got injured in training camp, wasn't feeling great for the first month or so and went to (a clinic in) Germany to do all those things to feel better, get to a place where I felt I could manage it better. 'There were good stretches and stretches where I didn't feel very good. It impacted a lot of things,' he said when asked about his shooting. 'I'm confident with some time off, going through my own process and treatment that I'll be back 100% next season.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In other words, no surgery is required. Matthews indicated he doesn't want to give opponents information they could potentially use against him, although the next Leafs game of consequence is five months away. Defenceman Chris Tanev, hit more than any Leaf in playoffs and their lead shot-blocker all season, volunteered he had come through a sterno-clavicular (collarbone) injury in March, but was none the worse for wear when the Senators and Panthers hunted him. 'When you go back and get a lot pucks, you'll probably be hit a lot in playoffs,' he reasoned. Also on Tuesday, goaltender Anthony Stolarz finally was available to discuss what happened in Game 1 against the Panthers that concussed him. The 6-foot-6 Stolarz said it was not caused by Sam Reinhart's hard shot that dislodged his mask, but was indeed former teammate Sam Bennett's elbow to the head that wasn't detected by the officials. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) lays on the ice after being ran into by Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett. The Canadian Press 'It was unfortunate, he just caught me in a bad spot,' Stolarz said. 'No malicious intent on Benny's part. Not just him but that entire team plays hard. He obviously felt pretty bad. It's a pretty fast game and s*** is going to happen. About 45 minutes later, I felt the symptoms.' After trying to continue playing, he was ill at the Leafs bench and stretchered to hospital. 'It was more or less precautionary,' Stolarz said. 'I'd had my leg sliced open in junior and that was a little more scary. 'It was extremely frustrating not to be there with the guys, even on the bench, but I was able to dress for Game 7.' Read More This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Winger Matthew Knies said there was no way he was coming out of Game 6 or 7 when he suffered a lower-body mishap from Niko Mikkola's hard hip check. 'An awkward hit when I was going in for a collision,' Knies said. 'I just felt something and needed to be careful.' He was not at full capacity on Sunday, but the injury should heal soon. Winger Max Pacioretty, 36 and dogged by all kinds of health issues the past few seasons, missed time after the 4 Nations Face-off break before making an impressive playoff comeback. 'Mid-to-upper, lower body,' he teased when asked what his injury was. lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Toronto Maple Leafs Basketball Columnists Canada Television
