The Avalanche, who are the top seed in the Western Conference, were picked by seven of 16 staffers to win it all. The Flames, the second seed in the West, were picked by four staffers.
The only other team to be picked by more than one staffer was the Florida Panthers, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, which got two picks.
The two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay Lightning, as did the Carolina Hurricanes and Toronto Maple Leafs each received one pick.
As for the Conn Smythe Trophy, given to the Most Valuable Player of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon got four picks while Colorado defenseman Cale Makar got three picks.
Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom got two picks, while Calgary forward Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Tkachuk got one pick.
The others to get votes for the Conn Smythe were forwards Jonathan Huberdeau of the Panthers (two), Sebastian Aho of the Hurricanes, and Mitchell Marner of the Maple Leafs, and defenseman Victor Hedman of the Lightning.
Here is how the 16 NHL.com staffers picked:
Amalie Benjamin, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Toronto Maple Leafs CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final: Flames over Panthers Conn Smythe Trophy: Johnny Gaudreau, Flames
Tim Campbell, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Toronto Maple Leafs CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Hurricanes Conn Smythe Trophy: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Brian Compton, managing editor
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Flames over Lightning Conn Smythe Trophy: Matthew Tkachuk, Flames
Nicholas J. Cotsonika, columnist
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Flames over Panthers Conn Smythe Trophy: Jacob Markstrom, Flames
William Douglas, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TBL vs. TOR: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final: Panthers over Avalanche Conn Smythe Trophy: Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers
Tom Gulitti, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Hurricanes over Flames Conn Smythe Trophy: Sebastian Aho, Hurricanes
Pete Jensen, director, senior fantasy editor
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Lightning Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Adam Kimelman, deputy managing editor
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Lightning over Avalanche Conn Smythe Trophy: Victor Hedman, Lightning
Mike G. Morreale, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Lightning Conn Smythe Trophy: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Tracey Myers, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Panthers Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Bill Price, VP, Editor-in-Chief
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Toronto Maple Leafs CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Maple Leafs over Flames Conn Smythe Trophy: Mitchell Marner, Maple Leafs
Shawn P. Roarke, senior director of editorial
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Boston Bruins NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Lightning Conn Smythe Trophy: Cale Makar, Avalanche
Dan Rosen, senior writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Washington Capitals TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Flames over Hurricanes Conn Smythe Trophy: Jacob Markstrom, Flames
David Satriano, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: Minnesota Wild CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Los Angeles Kings
Stanley Cup Final: Panthers over Flames Conn Smythe Trophy: Jonathan Huberdeau, Panthers
Dave Stubbs, columnist
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: New York Rangers
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Panthers Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
Mike Zeisberger, staff writer
Eastern Conference First Round FLA vs. WSH: Florida Panthers TOR vs. TBL: Tampa Bay Lightning CAR vs. BOS: Carolina Hurricanes NYR vs. PIT: Pittsburgh Penguins
Western Conference First Round COL vs. NSH: Colorado Avalanche MIN vs. STL: St. Louis Blues CGY vs. DAL: Calgary Flames EDM vs. LAK: Edmonton Oilers
Stanley Cup Final: Avalanche over Hurricanes Conn Smythe Trophy: Nathan MacKinnon, Avalanche
The French league’s legal commission has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé the 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages that he claims he’s entitled to, the league said Thursday.
The league confirmed the decision to The Associated Press without more details, a day after the France superstar rejected a mediation offer by the commission in his dispute with his former club.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former football star Reggie Bush was at his Encino home Tuesday night when three male suspects attempted to break in, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
“Everyone is safe,” Bush said in a text message to the newspaper.
The Los Angeles Police Dept. told the Times that a resident of the house reported hearing a window break and broken glass was found outside. Police said nothing was stolen and that three male suspects dressed in black were seen leaving the scene.
Bush starred at Southern California and in the NFL. The former running back was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner this year. He forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers.
VANCOUVER – A fresh face has been gracing the B.C. Lions‘ highlight reels in recent weeks.
Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.
The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone B.C. player to reel in a passing major in his team’s 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions’ win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been really good,” Eberhardt said of his recent play. “At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn’t love scoring?”
He’ll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.
Eberhardt signed with B.C. as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions’ head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.
“He’s a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it,” Campbell said.
The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.
“He could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he’d know exactly what he’s doing,” the coach said. “That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback’s trust. And you see him making plays.”
Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions’ staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They’ve all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.
“I’ve played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football,” he said. “I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.”
While B.C.’s lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback — who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards — and wide receiver Justin McInnis — who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) — versatility has been a critical part of the team’s back-to-back wins.
“I think we’ve got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it’s really my job to get them the ball as much as possible,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke.
“I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we’re in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that’s a good place to be.”
Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.
Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Rourke said. “We’ll have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they’ll be ready to go so we’ll have to be as well.”
The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.
A win on Friday would vault B.C. to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.
Collecting that victory isn’t assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.
“They’ve hit a little bit of a rut, but they’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly’s) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we’re expecting their best shot.”
TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT B.C. LIONS (7-6)
Friday, B.C. Place
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven’t been easy for Toronto in recent years — since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against B.C.
CENTURION: B.C. defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. “Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young,” Peters said. “It makes me feel good, and my body doesn’t really feel it. I’ve been blessed to be able to play 100 straight.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
