Craig Conroy has had a front row seat for Johnny Gaudreau’s ascension from college hotshot to NHL all-star to Century Man.
Who better to chat with about Gaudreau’s milestone than the Flames assistant GM, who openly discussed the playoff advice he shared with Gaudreau, and why he thinks the face of the franchise is better positioned for springtime success this time around.
In a wide-ranging discussion on The Eric Francis Show, Conroy stated his Selke case for Elias Lindholm, identified what has surprised him most about this team, projected how Matt Coronato should fit as an NHLer, and insisted that nothing about the current group reminds him of the 2004 team he starred on.
He also shared one of his favourite Darryl Sutter stories, involving a loaded offer from the coach to snag an autograph or two from the opposition.
Sportsnet: Can you speak to the significance of Johnny Gaudreau eclipsing the 100-point mark?
Craig Conroy: It’s not just a number.
It’s like when we say, “It doesn’t matter when we play our old team.” Let’s be honest, we want to beat them more than any other team. That’s what we have to say as players.
To get 100 points, wow. It’s amazing.
We talked about when he had 99 (in 2018-19), how special it would have been to get the 100.
Even when Jarome (Iginla) was leading the league in scoring, (he never got to 100). Obviously, the game has changed and scoring has gone back up since then, but for me, that’s a special, special number.
Why is Gaudreau better positioned to have success in the playoffs than he was, say, two or three years ago?
I think back to when I was in St. Louis, they said, ‘Brett Hull can never win.’
Well, you know what, that’s not true.
The way I look at it now is that everyone wants Johnny to do it. It’s so hard to win in the playoffs, and you put so much pressure on one player.
I do think the game changes a little bit in those playoffs.
A lot of times Monny (linemate Sean Monahan) was hurt. He had different linemates and was getting the hard matchups.
And you need to get some breaks early in those series. It’s so hard to score in the playoffs that everyone wants him to continue with that pace. He did create chances and he does make plays. He doesn’t get as many calls.
After the last one what I talked to him about it and said, “Hey, the last game you played, the way you drove through the middle and didn’t shake your hand, that’s how you’re going to have to play because they’re not going to call those little ticky-tack penalties they do in the regular season. And by you doing that it kind of shows the ref up. So you just have to play your game.”
For sure with Darryl he’s going to help that situation. That’s what we’ve always believed bringing Darryl in would do. I got to live it first-hand and to see what he does, how he handles things and what he expects out of everybody.
I think the line he’s on is built for the playoffs.
I’ve seen Matthew Tkachuk win a Memorial Cup. I’ve seen Johnny win a Frozen Four, a national championship, world juniors. All these things these guys have won.
I think we’re a little bit hard because we’re like, ‘They didn’t win the Stanley Cup.’
Well, they’ve won a lot of other things.
Does this team remind you of the 2004 Cup final team in any way?
No. The ’04 team was blood and guts and “gonna get by with Jarome and Kipper,” two stars. The rest of us knew, because Darryl told us, “we don’t have enough skill. We need to win 1-0.”
That means Kipper and Jarome do their thing and the rest of you guys make it hard to play against. I thought we were a little better than Darryl might have told us but that was his mindset going in.
But with this team I see scoring all over.
I know the guys haven’t scored maybe at the clip we’d want recently, but I’m not even worried.
I’d rather be a little cold now and then heat up in the playoffs.
Given where this team was last fall and where it is now, what has surprised you most about this group?
How well the top line has played.
Our third pairing has been amazing. Really amazing. I don’t give (Noah) Hanifin and (Rasmus) Andersson enough credit.
Our whole d-core, as a unit, has been outstanding.
You’re hoping this is how it was going to go. Did I see it going this way? No. You’re waiting to watch the games to see how it’s going to work, but I can’t say enough good things about what that group has done.
That might be even more surprising than the first line.
Mangy (Andrew Mangiapane) having 31 goals already is pretty amazing.
Then the other guys coming in. The leadership from the Lewises and the Colemans, who have won before and just go about their business, brings that to the table.
What Darryl’s doing is what we brought Darryl in for, to win games and to get us in a position to make the playoffs and from there to move forward.
This was a team we believed in, and with all his experience, I know he said he didn’t think that coming in, but I don’t think Darryl takes a job unless he thinks he can take a team to where it can contend for a Stanley Cup at some point.
State the case for Elias Lindholm to win the Selke this year as the NHL’s best defensive forward?
He does everything defensively that I want. The way he kills penalties, faceoffs, his little attention to detail and the way he supports his defence.
The plus-minus alone… (+53).
When (Mikael) Backlund was going that year (2018-19) for the Selke, and he was up against (Patrice) Bergeron, Bergeron was better. He just was. I want to be honest, even though Backs had an unbelievable year.
This year I truly think he’s the best defensive forward out there.
I know it’s a little tough, I was out east for a couple games and our games start at 10:30 p.m., 11 o’clock, so you can see why maybe people don’t see him.
But if they just do watch him, I don’t even think it’s close this year, to be totally honest.
You saw lots of Flames first-round pick Matthew Coronato while he played as a freshman at Harvard this year. Where does he project as an NHLer?
I see top-six to start.
You never want to put pressure on kids where you have to be a first-line guy. Time will tell, but his vision, the way he plays away from the puck, the way he just makes plays like Johnny, one step ahead, that’s what I love to see.
He played wing this year. I personally loved him at centre last year, but whether he’s going to be centre or wing we’ll see where he is next year.
I like him at centre because he sees the ice so well, he steals pucks, he’s strong on pucks. His little attention to detail plays that he can make, kind of the way I watch Lindholm away from the puck and when he gets the puck.
Wherever it is, he’s going to be a top-six forward, power play, penalty kill. He’s just an all-around good player who can play anywhere.
I understand Sutter gave you guys a unique opportunity in 2004 to get autographs of anyone you wanted on the Red Wings that spring?
We won the first game of that series in overtime and it gave us some confidence.
They do have pretty much a Hall of Fame power play and in Game 2 they were rolling, and it was a beating.
We come into the locker room and Darryl is upset.
He said, “Okay, let’s get it out of the way boys. Brett Hull, Nick Lidstrom, Brendan Shanahan, Steve Yzerman…I’ll get you guys autographs now, because you guys are like, Wow, the Detroit Red Wings. They’re the greatest thing ever.”
He was being sarcastic, and all of a sudden out of nowhere, Rhett Warrener says, “well if you’re getting autographs, I’ll take a Nick Lidstrom jersey.”
We were all trying not to laugh, but the way he said it and the timing, was classic.
Darryl gave a few last words and left, and we all burst into laughter. Given the beating we took it really lightened the mood.
MONTREAL – Canadian National Railway Co. told employees this week it plans to relocate its operations in Jasper to near Hinton, Alta., about 100 kilometres away.
In a memo sent to employees in the fire-ravaged town, the company said it’s aiming to increase efficiency by minimizing train stops between Edmonton and Blue River, B.C., which sits across the Rockies.
CN plans to close its Jasper bunkhouse and build a crew change facility east of Hinton, with workers slated to clock in at the new site starting in September 2025, according to the document obtained by The Canadian Press.
“CN has made the decision to implement operational changes to improve network fluidity,” regional vice-president Nicole James said in the memo.
The union representing rail workers criticized the relocation, which affects about 200 employees, though no layoffs are expected.
“This is another devastating blow to the town of Jasper, after this year’s catastrophic wildfires. Rail is one of the largest industries in Jasper, after tourism, and CN’s move will cripple this community even further,” said Paul Boucher, president of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
“And for the workers who’ve already lost so much — some even their homes — this is a truly cruel blow.”
Union spokesman Christopher Monette noted that most residents or their spouses must work in town to qualify to live there under Jasper National Park’s residency rules. The company has told the union it will apply for an exception for the workers, he said.
CN spokeswoman Ashley Michnowski says the railway is committed to supporting employees through the transition and keeping them updated.
“These types of changes take time to fully plan out and implement. That’s why one of our initial steps was to have this discussion with our employees as well as advising the town of Jasper,” she said in an email.
A wildfire ripped through Jasper in July, destroying a third of the mountain town and displacing many of its 4,800 residents.
The blaze also caused smoke damage to the CN bunkhouse, which the company says it has worked to restore since it was allowed to re-enter the community with contractors on Aug. 16.
Engineers and conductors have been reporting for work in Hinton, roughly an hour away, since the wildfire.
With roots as a fur trade outpost, Jasper launched as a railway town in the early 20th century after tracks built by the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway — CN’s predecessor — paved the way for the municipality.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Red Wings made another investment this week in a young standout, signing Moritz Seider to a seven-year contract worth nearly $60 million.
The Red Wings announced the move with the 23-year-old German defenseman on Thursday, three days after keeping 22-year-old forward Lucas Raymond with a $64.6 million, eight-year deal.
Detroit drafted Seider with the No. 6 pick overall eight years ago and he has proven to be a great pick. He has 134 career points, the most by a defenseman drafted in 2019.
He was the NHL’s only player to have at least 200 hits and block 200-plus shots last season, when he scored a career-high nine goals and had 42 points for the second straight year.
Seider won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie in 2022 after he had a career-high 50 points.
Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is banking on Seider, whose contract will count $8.55 million annually against the cap, and Raymond to turn a rebuilding team into a winner.
Detroit has failed to make the playoffs in eight straight seasons, the longest postseason drought in franchise history.
The Red Wings, who won four Stanley Cups from 1997 to 2008, have been reeling since their run of 25 straight postseasons ended in 2016.
Detroit was 41-32-9 last season and finished with a winning record for the first time since its last playoff appearance.
Yzerman re-signed Patrick Kane last summer and signed some free agents, including Vladimir Tarasenko to a two-year contract worth $9.5 million after he helped the Florida Panthers hoist the Cup.
Veterans Tyson Beukeboom and Karen Paquin will lead Canada at the WXV 1 women’s rugby tournament starting later this month in the Vancouver area.
WXV 1 includes the top three teams from the Women’s Six Nations (England, France and Ireland) and the top three teams from the Pacific Four Series (Canada, New Zealand, and the United States).
Third-ranked Canada faces No. 4 France, No. 7 Ireland and No. 1 England in the elite division of the three-tiered WXV tournament that runs Sept. 29 to Oct. 12 in Vancouver and Langley, B.C. No. 2 New Zealand and the eighth-ranked U.S. make up the six-team WVX 1 field.
“Our preparation time was short but efficient. This will be a strong team,” Canada coach Kevin Rouet said in a statement. “All the players have worked very hard for the last couple of weeks to prepare for WXV and we are excited for these next three matches and for the chance to play on home soil here in Vancouver against the best rugby teams in the world.
“France, Ireland and England will each challenge us in different ways but it’s another opportunity to test ourselves and another step in our journey to the Rugby World Cup next year.”
Beukeboom serves as captain in the injury absence of Sophie de Goede. The 33-year-old from Uxbridge, Ont., earned her Canadian-record 68th international cap in Canada’s first-ever victory over New Zealand in May at the Pacific Four Series.
Twenty three of the 30 Canadian players selected for WXV 1 were part of that Pacific Four Series squad.
Rouet’s roster includes the uncapped Asia Hogan-Rochester, Caroline Crossley and Rori Wood.
Hogan-Rochester and Crossley were part of the Canadian team that won rugby sevens silver at the Paris Olympics, along with WXV teammates Fancy Bermudez, Olivia Apps, Alysha Corrigan and Taylor Perry. Wood is a veteran of five seasons at UBC.
The 37-year-old Paquin, who has 38 caps for Canada including the 2014 Rugby World Cup, returns to the team for the first time since the 2021 World Cup.
Canada opens the tournament Sept. 29 against France at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver before facing Ireland on Oct. 5 at Willoughby Stadium at Langley Events Centre, and England on Oct. 12 at B.C. Place.
The second-tier WXV 2 and third-tier WXV 3 are slated to run Sept. 27 to Oct. 12, in South Africa and Dubai, respectively.
WXV 2 features Australia, Italy, Japan, Scotland, South Africa and Wales while WXV 3 is made up of Fiji, Hong Kong, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Samoa and Spain.
The tournament has 2025 World Cup qualification implications, although Canada, New Zealand and France, like host England, had already qualified by reaching the semifinals of the last tournament.
Ireland, South Africa, the U.S., Japan, Fiji and Brazil have also booked their ticket, with the final six berths going to the highest-finishing WXV teams who have not yet qualified through regional tournaments.
Canada’s Women’s Rugby Team WXV 1 Squad
Forwards
Alexandria Ellis, Ottawa, Stade Français Paris (France); Brittany Kassil, Guelph, Ont., Guelph Goats; Caroline Crossley, Victoria, Castaway Wanderers; Courtney Holtkamp, Rimbey, Alta., Red Deer Titans Rugby; DaLeaka Menin, Vulcan, Alta., Exeter Chiefs (England); Emily Tuttosi, Souris, Man., Exeter Chiefs (England); Fabiola Forteza, Quebec City, Stade Bordelais (France); Gabrielle Senft, Regina, Saracens (England); Gillian Boag, Calgary, Gloucester-Hartpury (England); Julia Omokhuale, Calgary, Leicester Tigers (England); Karen Paquin, Quebec City, Club de rugby de Quebec; Laetitia Royer, Loretteville, Que., ASM Romagnat (France); McKinley Hunt, King City, Ont., Saracens (England); Pamphinette Buisa, Gatineau, Que., Ottawa Irish; Rori Wood, Sooke, B.C., College Rifles RFC; Sara Cline, Edmonton, Leprechaun Tigers; Tyson Beukeboom, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England);
Backs
Alexandra Tessier, Sainte-Clotilde-de-Horton, Que., Exeter Chiefs (England); Alysha Corrigan, Charlottetown, P.E.I., CRFC; Asia Hogan-Rochester, Toronto, Toronto Nomads; Claire Gallagher, Caledon, Ont., Leicester Tigers (England); Fancy Bermudez, Edmonton, Saracens (England); Julia Schell, Uxbridge, Ont., Ealing Trailfinders (England); Justine Pelletier, Rivière-du-Loup, Que, Stade Bordelais (France); Mahalia Robinson, Fulford, Que., Town of Mount Royal RFC; Olivia Apps, Lindsay, Ont., Lindsay RFC; Paige Farries, Red Deer, Alta., Saracens (England); Sara Kaljuvee, Ajax, Ont., Westshore RFC; Shoshanah Seumanutafa, White Rock, B.C., Counties Manukau (New Zealand); Taylor Perry, Oakville, Ont., Exeter Chiefs (England).
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 18, 2024.
